Black and Blue margaritas on the rocks; Hot Corn Chili Dip; Bacon Appetizers.....full, slightly tipsy (in only a very pleasant way) and fighting off sleep as it approaches 9PM.
OH - and a Downton Abbey Season 3 marathon on our local PBS.
Pretty much a perfect New Year's Eve.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
NYE 2013
The boys are priming for this evening - by sleeping all day. They arose in the morning when forced to 'cuz the cleaning ladies arrived (early. Of all days for them to be early). Begrudgingly, laundry was picked up off floors; clean sheets put on end of still warm beds. I did my part by procuring breakfast burritos from the Taqueria. As soon as they'd eaten and the two ladies were done upstairs, they headed back up to bed and haven't been heard from since. It's 2:30PM.
For a little excitement, the cleaning ladies flushed the toilet upstairs not realizing it was clogged and overflowed water everywhere. They told J. 'we'll just mop it up'....but you can't absorb that much water with a cotton string mop - so the water went through the floor into the garage ceiling. I'm more than a little worried - but it will likely dry out. We should pull up the linoleum and look at the sub floor but we're not going to do that - yet.
Note to husband: towels are the answer. Many, many towels. If the water had been absorbed, it wouldn't have gone through the floor/ceiling....
The dog makes me bat-shit crazy (sorry for the language but it's the only adequate description I can come up with) with her incessant barking. The bark wouldn't bother me except Chloe has a shrill bark that's like fingernails on a chalkboard on the irritation scale.
On the other hand, we took her to the vet late yesterday when she exhibited signs of clearly being under the weather - her tail drooped and a 'mom' can just tell. She was off - sad eyes; droopy tail; lethargic. No diagnosis but today, she is better and her tail is back to normal so yeah that! I've been playing with her out of sheer joy that she's OK and NOT going to cost us four figures for any testing, etc. . At least not so far. She seems back to normal and was certainly in 'uber protection' mode the entire time the cleaning ladies were here.
J. inquired if I planned to be up until midnight and I responded with a firm 'no'. It's doubtful. I will try - but it's not likely. We are going to make berry margaritas and a couple of those and sleep will overwhelm me. I know that about myself. I often wish I could drink 'more' on special occasions and stay vertical, but I can't.
I'm making an assortment of finger foods for this evening and may go to McD's and procure some chicken nuggets and fries to add to the selection. I went grocery shopping after my doctor's appointment yesterday (got my very own Zpack of antibiotics as well as a nasal spray that will hopefully calm m sinuses down. Also got a Hepatitis A vaccination [first of two] since that is recommended by the CDC for travel to Europe) only I'd left my debit card here so had to spend only the cash I had on me. $20 for chicken wings for dinner. They are just like Wing Stop - B. was very impressed and his favorite is mine, too - garlic Parmesan. They were delicious!
Though I marveled at $2.78 a pound for chicken wings and only $0.98 cents a pound for chicken thighs. Somehow, garlic Parm thighs don't have a nice ring to them.
Winter Break 2013 is winding down and I'm tamping down the feelings of panic when I think about work. I wake up at 5ish most mornings and force myself to go back to sleep - and then have the wildest, craziest dreams...usually work related. Where I speak my mind to people I shouldn't. I wake up 'nervous' and glad it was all a dream 'cuz crazy things happen in those dreams that would be really bad if they were 'real'.
2013 has been a year of much change in our home. One kid out; another out and back. Hubby firmly ensconced and enjoying a well deserved retirement - and officially one of those retired people who is so busy, they don't know how they ever wedged in work. Me adjusting to the 'pressure' of being the 'breadwinner' (in terms of a paying job). I always remind myself lately that we are very blessed - and truly, though it would be a huge change and adjustments would be required - and should I really feel 'done', I probably could be. It would involve moving out of state and making choices for a far simpler life - but it's do-able. So that keeps me going. So incredibly thankful for the options and choices we have that many might not. And with those options and hope, I can plow through another day/week/month/year. Hoping for 10 more years. We'll see, though. When I feel really worried, fretful and sick of it all, I just offer it to God 'cuz it's all up to Him anyway - and I trust that. I know that. All that shall be will be and no amount of fretting on my part's going to change any of it.
2014 will be much of the same, undoubtedly. We are very excited and greatly looking forward to our whirlwind Europe trip in a couple months (Holy Cow!) and then 12 days in Mexico in July. It's possible this time next year will see J. recovering and working hard on rehab post knee replacement surgery. Knee or hip. I can never remember which. But something needs replacing 'cuz it's bone on bone and bothers him a fair amount. Though he still walks and manages to stay active - (It's his knee. He just reminded me).
Here's to the last post of 2013 and hoping for many more in 2014. Thanks to those who read and reach out - my cousin D. (in Oklahoma) and my cousin S. (in Arizona) and others. I'm grateful you hang in there with me and read the drivel here.
It's just life - but feel blessed every single day -
For a little excitement, the cleaning ladies flushed the toilet upstairs not realizing it was clogged and overflowed water everywhere. They told J. 'we'll just mop it up'....but you can't absorb that much water with a cotton string mop - so the water went through the floor into the garage ceiling. I'm more than a little worried - but it will likely dry out. We should pull up the linoleum and look at the sub floor but we're not going to do that - yet.
Note to husband: towels are the answer. Many, many towels. If the water had been absorbed, it wouldn't have gone through the floor/ceiling....
The dog makes me bat-shit crazy (sorry for the language but it's the only adequate description I can come up with) with her incessant barking. The bark wouldn't bother me except Chloe has a shrill bark that's like fingernails on a chalkboard on the irritation scale.
On the other hand, we took her to the vet late yesterday when she exhibited signs of clearly being under the weather - her tail drooped and a 'mom' can just tell. She was off - sad eyes; droopy tail; lethargic. No diagnosis but today, she is better and her tail is back to normal so yeah that! I've been playing with her out of sheer joy that she's OK and NOT going to cost us four figures for any testing, etc. . At least not so far. She seems back to normal and was certainly in 'uber protection' mode the entire time the cleaning ladies were here.
J. inquired if I planned to be up until midnight and I responded with a firm 'no'. It's doubtful. I will try - but it's not likely. We are going to make berry margaritas and a couple of those and sleep will overwhelm me. I know that about myself. I often wish I could drink 'more' on special occasions and stay vertical, but I can't.
I'm making an assortment of finger foods for this evening and may go to McD's and procure some chicken nuggets and fries to add to the selection. I went grocery shopping after my doctor's appointment yesterday (got my very own Zpack of antibiotics as well as a nasal spray that will hopefully calm m sinuses down. Also got a Hepatitis A vaccination [first of two] since that is recommended by the CDC for travel to Europe) only I'd left my debit card here so had to spend only the cash I had on me. $20 for chicken wings for dinner. They are just like Wing Stop - B. was very impressed and his favorite is mine, too - garlic Parmesan. They were delicious!
Though I marveled at $2.78 a pound for chicken wings and only $0.98 cents a pound for chicken thighs. Somehow, garlic Parm thighs don't have a nice ring to them.
Winter Break 2013 is winding down and I'm tamping down the feelings of panic when I think about work. I wake up at 5ish most mornings and force myself to go back to sleep - and then have the wildest, craziest dreams...usually work related. Where I speak my mind to people I shouldn't. I wake up 'nervous' and glad it was all a dream 'cuz crazy things happen in those dreams that would be really bad if they were 'real'.
2013 has been a year of much change in our home. One kid out; another out and back. Hubby firmly ensconced and enjoying a well deserved retirement - and officially one of those retired people who is so busy, they don't know how they ever wedged in work. Me adjusting to the 'pressure' of being the 'breadwinner' (in terms of a paying job). I always remind myself lately that we are very blessed - and truly, though it would be a huge change and adjustments would be required - and should I really feel 'done', I probably could be. It would involve moving out of state and making choices for a far simpler life - but it's do-able. So that keeps me going. So incredibly thankful for the options and choices we have that many might not. And with those options and hope, I can plow through another day/week/month/year. Hoping for 10 more years. We'll see, though. When I feel really worried, fretful and sick of it all, I just offer it to God 'cuz it's all up to Him anyway - and I trust that. I know that. All that shall be will be and no amount of fretting on my part's going to change any of it.
2014 will be much of the same, undoubtedly. We are very excited and greatly looking forward to our whirlwind Europe trip in a couple months (Holy Cow!) and then 12 days in Mexico in July. It's possible this time next year will see J. recovering and working hard on rehab post knee replacement surgery. Knee or hip. I can never remember which. But something needs replacing 'cuz it's bone on bone and bothers him a fair amount. Though he still walks and manages to stay active - (It's his knee. He just reminded me).
Here's to the last post of 2013 and hoping for many more in 2014. Thanks to those who read and reach out - my cousin D. (in Oklahoma) and my cousin S. (in Arizona) and others. I'm grateful you hang in there with me and read the drivel here.
It's just life - but feel blessed every single day -
Monday, December 30, 2013
This May be Us
Zits
in a couple months.
I had H. do a load of his own laundry yesterday. Next is mastering loading and unloading the dishwasher.
Life lessons. At 20. He hates them. Oh well.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Treats
I slept in yesterday until 10AM - so late for me that J. came to do a 'is she still breathing' check. Wow. Maybe rest is the answer 'cuz I felt decent yesterday for the better part of the day - until I didn't. Dinner time found me decidedly 'off' - just felt yucky. We were absolutely sick of leftover potatoes (still delicious but breakfast, lunch and dinner a couple days in a row was enough for me) so we got cheap Chinese instead.
Anyway - it was great to sleep in that long - made my entire day 'off'. Read Facebook notes and messages but skipped replying. My bad. The day flew by doing not much of anything, actually.
Today, I got up at 8 - could have gone back to sleep but didn't. J. and I treated for Jack in the Box at lunch which got Son #2 up for the first time today and Son #1 fed before he took a much needed nap. He spent the night at a friend's house and I don't think they slept much - two guys, cigars and a good scotch. They haven't seen each other in a year so it's only right they enjoy some make bonding. B. had fun but arrived home in need of sleep.
J. procured discounted Starbucks lattes - one 1/2 off (special today only with coupon) and one free with my gold card rewards. So I'm working on paying bills; planning how to pay the bills (Christmas, you are expensive); making year-end donations to various charities; and feeling slightly accomplished as I've already started a spreadsheet for year-end donations to make tax time easier. I sure hope...
I'm enjoying that there's still one full week of the break though I've done not much of anything 'planned' so far. And that's just fine for now.
I made a doctor's appointment for Monday afternoon just in case 'cuz I'm in week nine or something of the nose/ear/throat thing and I'm sick of feeling sick. I'm feeling hopeless a bit about stupid stuff - and that's almost always a sign that I'm not 'well' in the physical department which needs attention. Months of this crud...enough. Hoping for my own Zpack so I can be on the mend. 'Cuz this time next week, I'll be lamenting the end of the break and heading in to two of the longest months in my career. The trip to Europe is a coming and there's much to do before that departure date.
A blog I read announced she's done blogging - she hadn't been updating very often anyway so it shouldn't feel like such a loss - but it does. The connections we make are ones we take for granted until the plug is pulled. Odd - this Internet thing.
I tried to do my part outside by netting the pool and the spa....but the darn pole kept hitting the Japanese Maple tree (right next to the pool - stupidest thing we've ever done) and just putting more and more 'winter foilage' into the water. Darn. Time to give up, let nature blow the leaves off in the next big storm and then get it all netted and cleaned at once.
There are already Christmas trees out on the curbs awaiting pick up. J. is sketching out the weather over the next few days and plans to take down outside decor before New Years - giving it a few days of 'drying time' in the garage before packing it all up again. Tree will follow soon after though it just goes up in the rafters these days.
Way too late to nap though that's what I want to do - latte or not, I could sleep soundly if I allowed myself to. I won't. Time to turn on TV and find something to watch.
Anyway - it was great to sleep in that long - made my entire day 'off'. Read Facebook notes and messages but skipped replying. My bad. The day flew by doing not much of anything, actually.
Today, I got up at 8 - could have gone back to sleep but didn't. J. and I treated for Jack in the Box at lunch which got Son #2 up for the first time today and Son #1 fed before he took a much needed nap. He spent the night at a friend's house and I don't think they slept much - two guys, cigars and a good scotch. They haven't seen each other in a year so it's only right they enjoy some make bonding. B. had fun but arrived home in need of sleep.
J. procured discounted Starbucks lattes - one 1/2 off (special today only with coupon) and one free with my gold card rewards. So I'm working on paying bills; planning how to pay the bills (Christmas, you are expensive); making year-end donations to various charities; and feeling slightly accomplished as I've already started a spreadsheet for year-end donations to make tax time easier. I sure hope...
I'm enjoying that there's still one full week of the break though I've done not much of anything 'planned' so far. And that's just fine for now.
I made a doctor's appointment for Monday afternoon just in case 'cuz I'm in week nine or something of the nose/ear/throat thing and I'm sick of feeling sick. I'm feeling hopeless a bit about stupid stuff - and that's almost always a sign that I'm not 'well' in the physical department which needs attention. Months of this crud...enough. Hoping for my own Zpack so I can be on the mend. 'Cuz this time next week, I'll be lamenting the end of the break and heading in to two of the longest months in my career. The trip to Europe is a coming and there's much to do before that departure date.
A blog I read announced she's done blogging - she hadn't been updating very often anyway so it shouldn't feel like such a loss - but it does. The connections we make are ones we take for granted until the plug is pulled. Odd - this Internet thing.
I tried to do my part outside by netting the pool and the spa....but the darn pole kept hitting the Japanese Maple tree (right next to the pool - stupidest thing we've ever done) and just putting more and more 'winter foilage' into the water. Darn. Time to give up, let nature blow the leaves off in the next big storm and then get it all netted and cleaned at once.
There are already Christmas trees out on the curbs awaiting pick up. J. is sketching out the weather over the next few days and plans to take down outside decor before New Years - giving it a few days of 'drying time' in the garage before packing it all up again. Tree will follow soon after though it just goes up in the rafters these days.
Way too late to nap though that's what I want to do - latte or not, I could sleep soundly if I allowed myself to. I won't. Time to turn on TV and find something to watch.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Recovery and Rest
Not the grandest of Christmas' (on our scale) but still fun. We did one clue for the scavenger hunt and sent the boys to the freezer to locate Mr. Fuji. You can read about him here. He's still around and they knew right where to go -
The sheer volume of funds spent on the various electronics under the tree kept their expectations in check - and yet, they still had games, some clothes, socks, underwear...and a few other little things. Santa left big snack boxes full of lots of their favorite things and included 12 packs of their favorite sodas. It was a fun morning. J. and I actually got up first and it took a couple texts from me to H. to get him moving.
Breakfast was breakfast burritos - easily thrown together with J.'s help cooking the sausage the night before. I'd thought of a crock pot casserole of some kind but there's no guarantee the boys would eat something like that - so burritos were a sure thing.
Santa brought me the ice cream maker bowl attachment to my stand mixer so as soon as we have enough room in the freezer to freeze the bowl, I can make a sorbet.
Dinner was delicious - ham, Au Gratin potatoes, green bean casserole and the pies made the day before. The potatoes and French Silk pie recipes were from The Pioneer Woman website and they didn't disappoint. I love the potatoes 'cuz they are creamy and delicious with just a hint of cheese (not a single bit of fluorescent orange powder in site) and the French Silk pie is decadently delicious and worth the time it takes to blend the eggs in one at a time (5 minutes apart times four).
Today has been a restful day with a few things done wedged in. I was blessed with Starbucks gift cards so I merged them into my gold card and then went to get tea and lattes for us. First time out in days - no makeup - and of course, I ran into a teacher who is actually on leave this year living in Florida. She's visiting for the holidays and sounds like her 'trial retirement' is going well and she loves Florida.
I was in a genial enough mood late yesterday to scratch all my lottery scratchers and not be too disappointed when we didn't win a big prize. We did win enough to roll the winnings back into more tickets. So there's still hope.
I'm living on hope at the moment.
I'm in my head a lot these days - and it's not a pleasant place to be some times. Today was a bit better than the past few so here's hoping that the remainder of the break will be steady improvement. I need to do some 'work' at some point in the next few days and I just need to reconcile to that. I've been taking phone calls (custodians still working this week and next except for the two holidays) and handling emails - so it shouldn't be that hard to get into some of the many projects I need to tackle.
H. got a call from the doctor's office confirming the throat culture they did showed some kind of infection - so they phoned in a prescription. He gave the person phoning a piece of his mind re: the doctor's dismissive attitude - and was more than a little indignant that he's been sick for many days 'cuz she didn't take the time needed to listen to his complaints. He's been sick for a couple weeks now...but with the help of a ZPack, he should be much improved by this time tomorrow. He developed sore lymph nodes under his arm the day after he went to the doctor so we were pretty sure he had a bug of some kind. Glad they had done the throat swab....saved us another $30 co-pay.
Also have to send out kudos to H. for counseling a friend who works for a tire store on his work ethic. The guy's been missing a lot of work - and H. told him 'dude, if you keep missing work, they're going to let you go'. The guy says 'it's slow and they've been sending me home early anyway'....to which H. replies 'yeah, but you've been calling in sick a lot'. Sure enough, the guy was let go today. And yesterday, a co-worker (where H. currently works) phoned to tell H. that he had a really bad hang over and was planning to call in. H. told him 'OK, but if you do, you better expect to be fired. We are low on the seniority list and it's Christmas and we are who they scheduled today - so be ready to be fired if you don't show up'. The guy went to work. :-) He's got a pretty good head on his shoulder about work. Proud of him.
Yesterday ended perfectly with my sweet hubby finding You've Got Mail on the TV - perfect Christmas Day movie. Today, I attempted to reciprocate by voluntarily switching the channel to The Godfather...but then I sat here on edge waiting for the next shooting scene. My husband's comment about 'brains splattered all over' didn't do much to assist in my anxious state - so he graciously agreed I could watch something else. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is much easier to handle.
The only other news is every phone (land line) in our house is dead or dying so J. had a reason to go to Costco today - we need new phones. It's tempting to just move to cell but our Internet is bundled with the phone and it's not much more to keep the land line. And there's nothing more irritating than picking up a phone only to have it die a few seconds after you've answered. It disconnects the call. Grrr.... so now we have new phones charging.
Post Christmas bliss is still in process. B. is heading to a party and spending the night so we will pick him up in Manteca when he calls tomorrow. (He could take the car but seems fine being picked up - so it will save me a night of worrying about my car. And the person in the car).
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
We're ready....
Santa's helper (really, Santa did all the work. He's a great guy) is heading up to bed shortly.
Dishwasher is doing it's 4th load of the day - in preparation for another day of cooking tomorrow.
For now, we sleep. Son #1 is out with a friend for a bit. Son #2 is asleep on the couch. We enjoyed delicious hot cocoa and announced (to the one son still awake and heading out for a bit) that the tree was being loaded 'cuz waiting for the adult children to go upstairs to bed was not something we felt we could manage. They may be up until the wee hours of the morning...can't wait that out.
Those days are over.
It will be a fun morning -
Pies!
I've got another post in draft stage - but tempers are cooling so who knows if it will see the light of print.
It's been a hard few days here on the homestead but I think we are leveling out a bit. Maybe.
We received lots of Christmas cards today - love them. Kids going to Duke; getting Masters degrees in various subjects; full scholarships for sports; etc.. They aren't my kids....and I'm being truthful when I say that my emotions are all over the place at the moment - and for a second, I felt all choked up about that. No, my kids aren't doing any of those things.
I'm proud of them in many ways....but sometimes, it's just so hard to realize that they've both given up on higher education (at least for now) and are in jobs that though they seem to enjoy them for now lead to pretty much nowhere. They will survive on those jobs - if survival is the goal. But I know when they were little, I never imagined we'd be here. On the cusp of them turning 23 and 21 and really nowhere.
It makes my heart hurt. And then it makes me hurt as a mom 'cuz sometimes, I feel like we failed them. We didn't help with homework the way we should have - truly, for me, I never required help as a kid - never. So I just didn't 'get' that not all kids do it on their own; nor do all kids study hard and master things. We did our best....but we let them down. And I feel sorry about that but can't fix it. There young adults - no basic math skills. It's hard to fathom given what their parents have done/do for a living. But it's the truth.
At this point, we are holding on to 'status quo'. Praying there are no more bad interactions that color the holiday less than merry. B. is a butt head surrounding many things and it's been very hard having him home. Much harder than I anticipated. It's very stressful and the return of all that stress is taking it's toll on both me and J. . Poor J.. The man is a saint and doing his best to hold it all together for his fractured wife and the son who is torturing us all.
I just sent the boys to the movies (my treat) to attempt to get some wrapping done. I've made two pies - one berry and one French Silk. (The crusts weren't homemade but the fillings are and they are delicious). I also crafted some mini turnovers with leftover crust and pie filling. There's also delicious French Silk pie filling left that I'm going to chill for a sort of 'mousse' for a snack.
There's much debate about tonight's festivities. Church has been mentioned and I'm struggling with not really knowing what to do. J. wants to go. B. says he doesn't - though I'm not actually sure that he's not trying to say what he thinks I want. (He's in heavy peace making mode at the moment having hurt me to my core a few days ago. We've barely been able to look at each other the past few days....so I think he's in uber 'whatever mom wants' mode.). I'm totally ambivalent about church. I used to love going - but they stopped doing Communion and for me, that just leaves it lacking. Though the candle light is lovely, I miss Communion.
We'll see. I'm making finger goods for dinner so if we're inclined to head out around 6:30, church may be on the schedule. Maybe not.
There's truly (really, I mean it) not much under the tree this year so wrapping should be a cinch. There's no spreadsheet. No list. A few little things and the one true 'hearts desire' thing for each of us. It should be a pretty quick 'event'. And I am doing a small scavenger hunt...but nothing major.
H. works tomorrow at 3PM so we're planning for a 1PM dinner. This year, we got a boneless whole ham from Costco - which is perfect 'cuz I think if I'd made bean soup with the bone, J. would kill me. Our freezer has plenty of frozen leftovers in it - so the 'no bone' was a strong point in the ham's favor. It looks DELICIOUS and will be glazed and yummy with all the appropriate sides.
If you are the praying type, I'd appreciate some prayers. I am more than a little melancholy these days and I struggle to get through the simplest things. At the moment, the urge to head to a hotel for a week is very strong and the only thing keeping me here is not wanting to abandon J.. It would be terribly unfair to leave him to sort through all the ensuing drama on his own -
I'm selfish - but not that selfish.
It's been a hard few days here on the homestead but I think we are leveling out a bit. Maybe.
We received lots of Christmas cards today - love them. Kids going to Duke; getting Masters degrees in various subjects; full scholarships for sports; etc.. They aren't my kids....and I'm being truthful when I say that my emotions are all over the place at the moment - and for a second, I felt all choked up about that. No, my kids aren't doing any of those things.
I'm proud of them in many ways....but sometimes, it's just so hard to realize that they've both given up on higher education (at least for now) and are in jobs that though they seem to enjoy them for now lead to pretty much nowhere. They will survive on those jobs - if survival is the goal. But I know when they were little, I never imagined we'd be here. On the cusp of them turning 23 and 21 and really nowhere.
It makes my heart hurt. And then it makes me hurt as a mom 'cuz sometimes, I feel like we failed them. We didn't help with homework the way we should have - truly, for me, I never required help as a kid - never. So I just didn't 'get' that not all kids do it on their own; nor do all kids study hard and master things. We did our best....but we let them down. And I feel sorry about that but can't fix it. There young adults - no basic math skills. It's hard to fathom given what their parents have done/do for a living. But it's the truth.
At this point, we are holding on to 'status quo'. Praying there are no more bad interactions that color the holiday less than merry. B. is a butt head surrounding many things and it's been very hard having him home. Much harder than I anticipated. It's very stressful and the return of all that stress is taking it's toll on both me and J. . Poor J.. The man is a saint and doing his best to hold it all together for his fractured wife and the son who is torturing us all.
I just sent the boys to the movies (my treat) to attempt to get some wrapping done. I've made two pies - one berry and one French Silk. (The crusts weren't homemade but the fillings are and they are delicious). I also crafted some mini turnovers with leftover crust and pie filling. There's also delicious French Silk pie filling left that I'm going to chill for a sort of 'mousse' for a snack.
There's much debate about tonight's festivities. Church has been mentioned and I'm struggling with not really knowing what to do. J. wants to go. B. says he doesn't - though I'm not actually sure that he's not trying to say what he thinks I want. (He's in heavy peace making mode at the moment having hurt me to my core a few days ago. We've barely been able to look at each other the past few days....so I think he's in uber 'whatever mom wants' mode.). I'm totally ambivalent about church. I used to love going - but they stopped doing Communion and for me, that just leaves it lacking. Though the candle light is lovely, I miss Communion.
We'll see. I'm making finger goods for dinner so if we're inclined to head out around 6:30, church may be on the schedule. Maybe not.
There's truly (really, I mean it) not much under the tree this year so wrapping should be a cinch. There's no spreadsheet. No list. A few little things and the one true 'hearts desire' thing for each of us. It should be a pretty quick 'event'. And I am doing a small scavenger hunt...but nothing major.
H. works tomorrow at 3PM so we're planning for a 1PM dinner. This year, we got a boneless whole ham from Costco - which is perfect 'cuz I think if I'd made bean soup with the bone, J. would kill me. Our freezer has plenty of frozen leftovers in it - so the 'no bone' was a strong point in the ham's favor. It looks DELICIOUS and will be glazed and yummy with all the appropriate sides.
If you are the praying type, I'd appreciate some prayers. I am more than a little melancholy these days and I struggle to get through the simplest things. At the moment, the urge to head to a hotel for a week is very strong and the only thing keeping me here is not wanting to abandon J.. It would be terribly unfair to leave him to sort through all the ensuing drama on his own -
I'm selfish - but not that selfish.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Drainage
I keep thinking I'm hearing the dishwasher start the drain cycle - the kind of glurby suction noise it makes as it starts to empty the water from wash or rinse.
Only it's not the dishwasher - it's H. sleeping and snoring on the couch. He woke up this morning with a horrible sore throat so he went to the doctor. He said the doc he saw (not our usual) said 'your throat looks fine' and then proceeded to keep looking 'cuz she said 'I don't even think you have tonsils'. He does have his tonsils....
She gave him nasal spray and sent him on his way.
It's the same creepy crud that everyone has and for most of us, we just have to keep dealing with it as it winds it's way through. We're approaching Christmas and I recall feeling the same approaching Thanksgiving. It comes, goes, abates, increases....it's a hodgepodge of symptoms that lead to misery....and snoring....and really sore throats periodically.
I made it out to shop - traffic was horrible and I didn't really buy much of anything for Christmas. Though I did find a Cuisineart Dutch Oven in bright orange that I've wanted forever and it was 1/2 price 'cuz there wasn't a box - so I bought it!! It's too heavy to even think about wrapping - it's just an addition to our cookware.
B. is heading out to dinner again tonight - I think he's been home for one meal since his arrival. I don't begrudge him time with friends - but he also has a long list of places he wants to go to eat out with us so I hope we can wedge all this in -
Only it's not the dishwasher - it's H. sleeping and snoring on the couch. He woke up this morning with a horrible sore throat so he went to the doctor. He said the doc he saw (not our usual) said 'your throat looks fine' and then proceeded to keep looking 'cuz she said 'I don't even think you have tonsils'. He does have his tonsils....
She gave him nasal spray and sent him on his way.
It's the same creepy crud that everyone has and for most of us, we just have to keep dealing with it as it winds it's way through. We're approaching Christmas and I recall feeling the same approaching Thanksgiving. It comes, goes, abates, increases....it's a hodgepodge of symptoms that lead to misery....and snoring....and really sore throats periodically.
I made it out to shop - traffic was horrible and I didn't really buy much of anything for Christmas. Though I did find a Cuisineart Dutch Oven in bright orange that I've wanted forever and it was 1/2 price 'cuz there wasn't a box - so I bought it!! It's too heavy to even think about wrapping - it's just an addition to our cookware.
B. is heading out to dinner again tonight - I think he's been home for one meal since his arrival. I don't begrudge him time with friends - but he also has a long list of places he wants to go to eat out with us so I hope we can wedge all this in -
Of Men....and More Men
B. asked politely if anyone would be able to get milk soon. He added 'didn't I just buy a gallon yesterday?'. Yes, you did. We go through six-ish gallons a week here and that's when you're NOT home. Welcome to the world where a six foot three male survives on chocolate milk. We'd buy a cow but there's no room in the backyard.
And our refrigerator is perpetually so full of other 'stuff' that now, we can only buy a gallon at a time - which means someone is running to get milk a lot. A LOT! more than usual with two young adults at home requiring dairy. Ten gallons a week appears to be our current consumption number. It will go down again after the 5th.
(Side note: B. has been driving my car 'cuz it's closest to driving his truck - what' he's used to. I drove it to pick up breakfast burritos for the District Office staff yesterday morning and he had the radio tuned to a country western station. The song was about 'I drive your truck' when missing someone you've lost - how the truck makes them feel closer to their lost loved one. And I felt so choked up suddenly at the thought of his January 5th departure....I had to stop the car for a bit and compose myself before going back to work. Emotions run high and all over the place when he's home - for me, anyway. Much like this time last year).
I am officially off and celebrated by going to work for an hour or so. I left sort of in a hurry yesterday and felt 'un-settled' all night. A couple 'quick' tasks that I had left until after the break just didn't sit right through the night - so I went in, got them done, tidied my desk and brought stuff home for after Christmas. I doubt I will be bored - but I do have a lot of projects I could get a head start on.
Remember the March trip to Europe coming up? What was I thinking? It's going to be the absolute wildest, craziest, busiest January and February of my tenure - and that's saying something. I'm not 'panicked' (yet).
So I went in, feel 'settled' and came home with energy and productiveness in my veins. Ground a bunch of coffee. Got dinner in the crock pot. Now I'm making lists and checking them twice (and thrice even) and will be heading out shortly for errands and shopping.
I've come up with a relatively inexpensive way to get stuff wrapped under the tree that will add to the two 'main' presents. I just can't abide by few things under the tree. It's not 'right' to me. So we will augment with a few inexpensive 'gifts' that will be consumed (literally) shortly after opening.
B. is growing a mustache and a goatee. He's also getting a tattoo on Friday, January 3rd. When you're on leave, you grow facial hair 'cuz you can't have that when you're on base. The tattoo? I don't know about it - I have heard they have changed their 'rules' about body art and I've reminded him about that. But he says it will be fine.
It's approaching nap time which means I will debate napping vs. errand running. Napping would be absolutely lovely - but I will sleep better tonight if I don't. I still woke up pretty early this morning and am thinking 6:30ish may be the new 'sleeping in late' for me. It's still 2 hours later than usual on a weekday and it felt great to have no alarm!! 16 more days of no alarm will do wonders for my tired psyche.
And our refrigerator is perpetually so full of other 'stuff' that now, we can only buy a gallon at a time - which means someone is running to get milk a lot. A LOT! more than usual with two young adults at home requiring dairy. Ten gallons a week appears to be our current consumption number. It will go down again after the 5th.
(Side note: B. has been driving my car 'cuz it's closest to driving his truck - what' he's used to. I drove it to pick up breakfast burritos for the District Office staff yesterday morning and he had the radio tuned to a country western station. The song was about 'I drive your truck' when missing someone you've lost - how the truck makes them feel closer to their lost loved one. And I felt so choked up suddenly at the thought of his January 5th departure....I had to stop the car for a bit and compose myself before going back to work. Emotions run high and all over the place when he's home - for me, anyway. Much like this time last year).
I am officially off and celebrated by going to work for an hour or so. I left sort of in a hurry yesterday and felt 'un-settled' all night. A couple 'quick' tasks that I had left until after the break just didn't sit right through the night - so I went in, got them done, tidied my desk and brought stuff home for after Christmas. I doubt I will be bored - but I do have a lot of projects I could get a head start on.
Remember the March trip to Europe coming up? What was I thinking? It's going to be the absolute wildest, craziest, busiest January and February of my tenure - and that's saying something. I'm not 'panicked' (yet).
So I went in, feel 'settled' and came home with energy and productiveness in my veins. Ground a bunch of coffee. Got dinner in the crock pot. Now I'm making lists and checking them twice (and thrice even) and will be heading out shortly for errands and shopping.
I've come up with a relatively inexpensive way to get stuff wrapped under the tree that will add to the two 'main' presents. I just can't abide by few things under the tree. It's not 'right' to me. So we will augment with a few inexpensive 'gifts' that will be consumed (literally) shortly after opening.
B. is growing a mustache and a goatee. He's also getting a tattoo on Friday, January 3rd. When you're on leave, you grow facial hair 'cuz you can't have that when you're on base. The tattoo? I don't know about it - I have heard they have changed their 'rules' about body art and I've reminded him about that. But he says it will be fine.
It's approaching nap time which means I will debate napping vs. errand running. Napping would be absolutely lovely - but I will sleep better tonight if I don't. I still woke up pretty early this morning and am thinking 6:30ish may be the new 'sleeping in late' for me. It's still 2 hours later than usual on a weekday and it felt great to have no alarm!! 16 more days of no alarm will do wonders for my tired psyche.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Parties
Fridays used to be the day to come home as early as possible and 'veg'. During this time of year, though, it's an evening to wedge in as much as possible 'cuz the weekend is jammed full already and you need more time.
I somehow got hooked into going to a party - my former boss implored me a couple times this week to go. I hadn't thought we would 'cuz it was B.'s first night home - when the invitation arrived, I put it aside thinking 'no, it's his first night home and I don't want to be gone that very first night'. But my (former) boss can be persuasive....so J. and I found ourselves heading to a semi-formal (that's what the invitation said, anyway) event last night.
Which led to me arriving home Friday evening and going immediately out again to get a much needed haircut - and then to find something to wear to the event. Apparently, the major closet culling I've done over the past few months resulted in me giving away virtually every 'dressy' blouse I own. I have plenty of nice work tops - but an evening function during the holidays needs a bit of 'glitteriness', right? Still had my very nice 'suede-like' black dress slacks. Macy's had a really pretty dressy sweater with silver 'metallic' slivers in the leaf-pattern and another dressy top as a backup. WalMart had a pair of 'dress' pumps for under $20. I gave away my ankle-high black boots in a moment of 'every shoe I own is too small'.
The event was fun - though a long drive for us. Maybe less enthusiastic about the drive since we'd spent three hours in the car going to/from Sacramento airport to pick up B.. Yes, he's home! And the first hug is just the most amazing thing ever - I felt that way when he came home Memorial Day and it was the same this trip - just so, so glad to see him. More on his homecoming shortly.
I think both boys were pretty thrilled to find out we would be gone most of the evening. B. had a bunch of friends over and H. planned to also. Their 'glee' in our absence was noticeable and we were fine with their plans. It probably was 'better' that B. was able to have a bunch of friends over right away - they had a nice time.
So did we. The party was incredibly nice - free valet parking; amazing food; open bar. Had a great time visiting with my former boss and some of his new coworkers - and got to know some other folks who work for the construction company we're using for our projects. It was a really nice evening.
B.'s friends were still here when we arrived home and they stayed - but I was pretty tired and had no trouble going to sleep.
So he's home for the next three weeks. He's been careful about noise levels; picks up after himself more than not; hugs a lot (which is lovely). He's planning to snow board with friends the 23rd and 24th and also plans on getting a tattoo while he's here. Can't stop him - his body and his money - and though I suggested doing what his friend did and have tats that don't show under short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts - he's determined. I'm hoping it will hurt like heck and he'll scale back his plan...but we'll see.
I am off M & F this coming week - our office holiday party was moved to Wednesday so I need to be there that day - mainly 'cuz I know I'm not going to be very inclined to attend a Wednesday evening function if I've been off that day.
It's Sunday and I'm still dealing with sore throat/headachy/sinus stuff. It never ends. J. (bless his sweet heart) took my list of groceries and the one 'must-do' errand and headed out to accomplish things I need to but don't feel like doing. I need to head to work to drop off a Secret Santa item that can't wait until I'm back (lest it be a dead-giveaway for who the Secret Santa is). I will put the item on the desk, re-arm the alarms and leave as quickly as I came.
Christmas shopping is on the list for tomorrow. There's time next weekend but I don't want to be out there with the gazillion others putting things off until the last weekend before the big day.
Enjoying time with the boys - one of the best parts of picking up B. yesterday was seeing he and his brother reconnect. They probably talked more yesterday than I've seen them talk face to face in years. The two of them walked ahead of us to the car, chatting all the way.
Sacramento airport is further away mileage wise than Oakland - but I love how close the parking is to the terminal. I love being able to go up to where the trams come in from the drop off gates - so you can see someone pretty 'fresh' off the plane. I love that it's far less crowded than Oakland and while the drive is a bit longer, it's very pretty. Less stop and go. Less concrete jungle like. It was great to watch him walk off the tram and realize it was him. He managed to travel with only his backpack including his boots tied to the outside. He didn't wear his camos - which was fine. He was traveling light - and anticipated having more clothes to take home post-Christmas. Odds are pretty good he's right about that.
Tonight is Survivor finale - it's been a fun season and we are anxious for the end. Go Sierra!
I somehow got hooked into going to a party - my former boss implored me a couple times this week to go. I hadn't thought we would 'cuz it was B.'s first night home - when the invitation arrived, I put it aside thinking 'no, it's his first night home and I don't want to be gone that very first night'. But my (former) boss can be persuasive....so J. and I found ourselves heading to a semi-formal (that's what the invitation said, anyway) event last night.
Which led to me arriving home Friday evening and going immediately out again to get a much needed haircut - and then to find something to wear to the event. Apparently, the major closet culling I've done over the past few months resulted in me giving away virtually every 'dressy' blouse I own. I have plenty of nice work tops - but an evening function during the holidays needs a bit of 'glitteriness', right? Still had my very nice 'suede-like' black dress slacks. Macy's had a really pretty dressy sweater with silver 'metallic' slivers in the leaf-pattern and another dressy top as a backup. WalMart had a pair of 'dress' pumps for under $20. I gave away my ankle-high black boots in a moment of 'every shoe I own is too small'.
The event was fun - though a long drive for us. Maybe less enthusiastic about the drive since we'd spent three hours in the car going to/from Sacramento airport to pick up B.. Yes, he's home! And the first hug is just the most amazing thing ever - I felt that way when he came home Memorial Day and it was the same this trip - just so, so glad to see him. More on his homecoming shortly.
I think both boys were pretty thrilled to find out we would be gone most of the evening. B. had a bunch of friends over and H. planned to also. Their 'glee' in our absence was noticeable and we were fine with their plans. It probably was 'better' that B. was able to have a bunch of friends over right away - they had a nice time.
So did we. The party was incredibly nice - free valet parking; amazing food; open bar. Had a great time visiting with my former boss and some of his new coworkers - and got to know some other folks who work for the construction company we're using for our projects. It was a really nice evening.
B.'s friends were still here when we arrived home and they stayed - but I was pretty tired and had no trouble going to sleep.
So he's home for the next three weeks. He's been careful about noise levels; picks up after himself more than not; hugs a lot (which is lovely). He's planning to snow board with friends the 23rd and 24th and also plans on getting a tattoo while he's here. Can't stop him - his body and his money - and though I suggested doing what his friend did and have tats that don't show under short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts - he's determined. I'm hoping it will hurt like heck and he'll scale back his plan...but we'll see.
I am off M & F this coming week - our office holiday party was moved to Wednesday so I need to be there that day - mainly 'cuz I know I'm not going to be very inclined to attend a Wednesday evening function if I've been off that day.
It's Sunday and I'm still dealing with sore throat/headachy/sinus stuff. It never ends. J. (bless his sweet heart) took my list of groceries and the one 'must-do' errand and headed out to accomplish things I need to but don't feel like doing. I need to head to work to drop off a Secret Santa item that can't wait until I'm back (lest it be a dead-giveaway for who the Secret Santa is). I will put the item on the desk, re-arm the alarms and leave as quickly as I came.
Christmas shopping is on the list for tomorrow. There's time next weekend but I don't want to be out there with the gazillion others putting things off until the last weekend before the big day.
Enjoying time with the boys - one of the best parts of picking up B. yesterday was seeing he and his brother reconnect. They probably talked more yesterday than I've seen them talk face to face in years. The two of them walked ahead of us to the car, chatting all the way.
Sacramento airport is further away mileage wise than Oakland - but I love how close the parking is to the terminal. I love being able to go up to where the trams come in from the drop off gates - so you can see someone pretty 'fresh' off the plane. I love that it's far less crowded than Oakland and while the drive is a bit longer, it's very pretty. Less stop and go. Less concrete jungle like. It was great to watch him walk off the tram and realize it was him. He managed to travel with only his backpack including his boots tied to the outside. He didn't wear his camos - which was fine. He was traveling light - and anticipated having more clothes to take home post-Christmas. Odds are pretty good he's right about that.
Tonight is Survivor finale - it's been a fun season and we are anxious for the end. Go Sierra!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Pink Martini
It's been awhile....wow. Time goes so fast these days.
Last Tuesday evening, we went to Gallo to see Pink Martini. One of my best-est wonderful friends at work is obsessed with this group so we went with them to see what the group is like.
If someone had said I'd be listening to music sung in Japanese, Croation, Italian (just to name a few) and would love every single minute of it, I would have said you were crazy. I'm a lyric person. The words get me. But this time, the music got me. It was just fantastic - an 11 member 'band' of flawless musicians and eclectic music that they want to preserve (think 'big bands' of the 30's and 40's at times - but not all like that ); music they've composed. It was phenomenal and I'm so hooked.
Thankfully, my friend and her husband made CD's for me of most of the albums.
I'm listening to "Hey, Eugene" over and over at the moment - if inclined, you can find it on You Tube.
That was a very fun evening already a week ago -
Tonight is a board meeting then a week of workshops and meeting off site.
I've arranged to be off M-W-F of next week (hopefully) to spend as much time as possible with B. . He arrives this Saturday!
Work is going well. A monthly meeting (usually 3-4 hours in length) was cancelled and I made good use of the time by culling out my office. I plan to continue that process today and have two big projects to get 'finalized' before the winter break.
So far, most of the presents around here are apparently 'for me'. Of my own doing. Argh!
I'm leaning towards a big scavenger hunt for the boys and then they can shop on their own and/or with us after Christmas? I hate to spend a ton of money on clothes and stuff they may not like and/or that I could get for a lot less after the celebration. It's always hard these days - adult children gift giving is an art.
Only problem with that plan is H.'s biggest 'want' is a fairly expensive 'gadget'. But then maybe giving him money to use for that will illustrate that another less expensive 'gadget' would serve the purpose and cost around 1/3 of the other? Time for him to make these 'hard' decisions 'cuz he's an adult.
All of our outdoor decor items failed at the same time so J. and I headed out to shop Saturday. Costco provided a couple of options - but they were big and bulky and expensive (even on the 'clearance' price). We bought some lights at Target but the had no 'lawn' stuff. Wal-Mart (it pains me to admit) had tons of stuff and for less than we would have spent at Costco, we got tons of stuff to add to our lawn collection.
The tree is up and so pretty with just lights - but we'll get some ornaments on it this week. I hope.
I'm 'late' (for me) so I'd better get showered and head out. Hoping to return home this afternoon for a couple of hours. A break before the meeting would be lovely.
Last Tuesday evening, we went to Gallo to see Pink Martini. One of my best-est wonderful friends at work is obsessed with this group so we went with them to see what the group is like.
If someone had said I'd be listening to music sung in Japanese, Croation, Italian (just to name a few) and would love every single minute of it, I would have said you were crazy. I'm a lyric person. The words get me. But this time, the music got me. It was just fantastic - an 11 member 'band' of flawless musicians and eclectic music that they want to preserve (think 'big bands' of the 30's and 40's at times - but not all like that ); music they've composed. It was phenomenal and I'm so hooked.
Thankfully, my friend and her husband made CD's for me of most of the albums.
I'm listening to "Hey, Eugene" over and over at the moment - if inclined, you can find it on You Tube.
That was a very fun evening already a week ago -
Tonight is a board meeting then a week of workshops and meeting off site.
I've arranged to be off M-W-F of next week (hopefully) to spend as much time as possible with B. . He arrives this Saturday!
Work is going well. A monthly meeting (usually 3-4 hours in length) was cancelled and I made good use of the time by culling out my office. I plan to continue that process today and have two big projects to get 'finalized' before the winter break.
So far, most of the presents around here are apparently 'for me'. Of my own doing. Argh!
I'm leaning towards a big scavenger hunt for the boys and then they can shop on their own and/or with us after Christmas? I hate to spend a ton of money on clothes and stuff they may not like and/or that I could get for a lot less after the celebration. It's always hard these days - adult children gift giving is an art.
Only problem with that plan is H.'s biggest 'want' is a fairly expensive 'gadget'. But then maybe giving him money to use for that will illustrate that another less expensive 'gadget' would serve the purpose and cost around 1/3 of the other? Time for him to make these 'hard' decisions 'cuz he's an adult.
All of our outdoor decor items failed at the same time so J. and I headed out to shop Saturday. Costco provided a couple of options - but they were big and bulky and expensive (even on the 'clearance' price). We bought some lights at Target but the had no 'lawn' stuff. Wal-Mart (it pains me to admit) had tons of stuff and for less than we would have spent at Costco, we got tons of stuff to add to our lawn collection.
The tree is up and so pretty with just lights - but we'll get some ornaments on it this week. I hope.
I'm 'late' (for me) so I'd better get showered and head out. Hoping to return home this afternoon for a couple of hours. A break before the meeting would be lovely.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
New House
No....we're not moving. Just reminiscing about the 13th anniversary (today!) of moving into this house.
Here are the boys back then.
In a couple weeks when son #1 arrives home, we will take another one in the same place. Both the location and the kids will be virtually unrecognizable.
I celebrated the anniversary by cleaning my desk area....which was a replacement for the plan to go in to work. I worked on Friday and my big report is 'done'. The auditors got their responses and documents - so I made good progress. Figured I could always do a week of going in very early and staying very late should the need arise. Hopefully, it won't. Calendar tomorrow is purposefully 'blocked' all day so that should keep meetings to a minimum.
It's been a lovely break....though a bad cold/sinus something did it's best to bring me down. I feel better today though still have a sore throat and stuff resembling spackle coming out of my nose. That's an improvement though vs. a few days ago so I feel 'good'. I'm consuming Airborne like crazy and am becoming a firm believer in whatever is in those things.
In less than two weeks, B. will be home for the holidays! And it's a three week countdown to my Winter break - the blessing of two full weeks off when virtually everyone else is also off...so it is really, truly down time more than not. Which is a lovely thing.
Let the weeks begin! We listened to Christmas music today as we worked around here - I'm ready for some good cheer.
Here are the boys back then.
In a couple weeks when son #1 arrives home, we will take another one in the same place. Both the location and the kids will be virtually unrecognizable.
I celebrated the anniversary by cleaning my desk area....which was a replacement for the plan to go in to work. I worked on Friday and my big report is 'done'. The auditors got their responses and documents - so I made good progress. Figured I could always do a week of going in very early and staying very late should the need arise. Hopefully, it won't. Calendar tomorrow is purposefully 'blocked' all day so that should keep meetings to a minimum.
It's been a lovely break....though a bad cold/sinus something did it's best to bring me down. I feel better today though still have a sore throat and stuff resembling spackle coming out of my nose. That's an improvement though vs. a few days ago so I feel 'good'. I'm consuming Airborne like crazy and am becoming a firm believer in whatever is in those things.
In less than two weeks, B. will be home for the holidays! And it's a three week countdown to my Winter break - the blessing of two full weeks off when virtually everyone else is also off...so it is really, truly down time more than not. Which is a lovely thing.
Let the weeks begin! We listened to Christmas music today as we worked around here - I'm ready for some good cheer.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
New Bed
Christmas shopping has commenced....mainly for me. :-) I am was determined not to use 'tis the season' as an excuse to shop for things I didn't know I wanted until I saw them...but it IS the season and when I shop, I find things....
Chloe got a new bed. She had been using the cat bed that was up in our room - neither cat ever took any interest in it though they did covet shoe box lids. One day after Klink died, I brought the bed down to the study and Chloe started sleeping in it...but it was small. She could stretch out but her head and butt touched the sides of the bed.
I didn't really think about it much until I saw a catalog for In the Company of Dogs and took a look at all the beds they have....right down to the way your dog sleeps. Chloe is a 'burrower' and a 'nester'. She is frequently covered up from head to toe with her snout poking out. She 'makes' her bed by 'digging' and snuffling while she 'works'. And she loves being cozy.
So we bought her a new bed - no, not right. I bought her a new bed. I'd planned to have it under the tree for her ('cuz as usual this time of year, I'm fearful the tree will be 'empty' - or emptier than it has been in years past)....but I wanted to get it unpacked and get the box out of the study.
We unpacked it on Thursday - and she wanted nothing to do with it. She'd sort of jump 'in/on' it but quickly jump right back out. We put her old bed up and she whined for a bit.
Then last night, she finally went in the new bed - getting the hang of it. It's 'poofier' than her old bed - it has no 'firmness' in it's base - it's just all 'fill' and she's not used to that.
But I think she's getting the hang of it.
She's sleeping so hard in it that she wakes up startled now and then. She's out like a light for long stretches - which she never was with the old bed.
I think she's going to get used to it. She's now burrowed further in - and snuggled up with her blanket.
Successful purchase!
Chloe got a new bed. She had been using the cat bed that was up in our room - neither cat ever took any interest in it though they did covet shoe box lids. One day after Klink died, I brought the bed down to the study and Chloe started sleeping in it...but it was small. She could stretch out but her head and butt touched the sides of the bed.
I didn't really think about it much until I saw a catalog for In the Company of Dogs and took a look at all the beds they have....right down to the way your dog sleeps. Chloe is a 'burrower' and a 'nester'. She is frequently covered up from head to toe with her snout poking out. She 'makes' her bed by 'digging' and snuffling while she 'works'. And she loves being cozy.
So we bought her a new bed - no, not right. I bought her a new bed. I'd planned to have it under the tree for her ('cuz as usual this time of year, I'm fearful the tree will be 'empty' - or emptier than it has been in years past)....but I wanted to get it unpacked and get the box out of the study.
We unpacked it on Thursday - and she wanted nothing to do with it. She'd sort of jump 'in/on' it but quickly jump right back out. We put her old bed up and she whined for a bit.
Then last night, she finally went in the new bed - getting the hang of it. It's 'poofier' than her old bed - it has no 'firmness' in it's base - it's just all 'fill' and she's not used to that.
But I think she's getting the hang of it.
She's sleeping so hard in it that she wakes up startled now and then. She's out like a light for long stretches - which she never was with the old bed.
I think she's going to get used to it. She's now burrowed further in - and snuggled up with her blanket.
Successful purchase!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Let There Be Bubbles!
I tried the Salt Rising Bread starter again last night. This morning, it looked like it has before - sort of 'lumpy' cornmeal dumplings. But I did see one lone 'bubble' at the edge. J. confirmed it 'smelled'....I can't smell a thing these days.
I decided 'what the heck' - only risking wasting three cups of flour, some salt, baking soda and sugar with hot water to make Starter #2. I combined the two starters in a glass mixing bowl, covered with plastic wrap and put it in the proof box set for 98 degrees. J. and I headed out to grocery shop for tomorrow.
It worked!! Starter #1 must have been 'active' 'cuz the combined starters are a bubbly, expanding bowl of gorgeousness! I am so excited - I feel like running a victory lap around the neighborhood.
Letting it 'rise' a bit more - then it will be combined with more flour, soft butter and a little salt; kneaded in my stand mixer then put into loaf pans to rise again for another 4 or so hours. Hoping we have two successful loaves of the most delicious bread in the world by dinner time this evening!!
Picture cartwheels.
No. Don't do that. No one deserves that visual.
I am just really excited!! Yeast-less bread is not easy - but I think I'm close to being successful!! I may bake our bread every week!
I decided 'what the heck' - only risking wasting three cups of flour, some salt, baking soda and sugar with hot water to make Starter #2. I combined the two starters in a glass mixing bowl, covered with plastic wrap and put it in the proof box set for 98 degrees. J. and I headed out to grocery shop for tomorrow.
It worked!! Starter #1 must have been 'active' 'cuz the combined starters are a bubbly, expanding bowl of gorgeousness! I am so excited - I feel like running a victory lap around the neighborhood.
Letting it 'rise' a bit more - then it will be combined with more flour, soft butter and a little salt; kneaded in my stand mixer then put into loaf pans to rise again for another 4 or so hours. Hoping we have two successful loaves of the most delicious bread in the world by dinner time this evening!!
Picture cartwheels.
No. Don't do that. No one deserves that visual.
I am just really excited!! Yeast-less bread is not easy - but I think I'm close to being successful!! I may bake our bread every week!
Pre-Turkey
Haven't worked the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week in a long time. Made it through, though - albeit not unscathed. The cold is in my chest and this morning, I'm pretty sure it's a full blown sinus infection. Dang it all to heck! 'Tis the season 'cuz everyone at work is sick with something. I even got a flu shot and it's still knocking me for a loop.
But never fear! Meals are planned (including Turkey Tettrazini and Turkey Pot Pie for leftovers) and J. and I are heading to WinCo shortly for supplies. Then it will be a day of pie baking; sauce simmering; and general prep work for the big day tomorrow. Even with it being just the three of us, it's still a special day!
J. and H. went to AmaLuna last night at AT&T park - I was decidedly under the weather and the 2.5 hour trip there and then back again combined with the cold and the show time itself was not something I thought I could weather. They both seemed to enjoy it....so that's good. H. is off until Friday so he's enjoying some down time. He and J. also went to San Leandro yesterday for lunch with J.'s brother. I worked 1/2 day....so missed the lunch, too.
Today, H. discovered the joy of direct deposit! He doesn't have to drive to Stockton to pick up his check 'cuz it was in his bank account when he woke up this morning! After a gazillion jobs where we kept trying to get him to set it up, he finally did it. No 'hold' on his account for a day or two - just the awesomeness of all funds available the morning of pay day! Progress!
Even with my head aching and nose snuffling, it's going to be a fun day! I'm determined! And I like cooking on days when I can just immerse myself in the process.
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green bean casserole and crescent rolls are the traditional menu and I'm not messing with tradition. The pies will be berry (hopefully) and pumpkin. My adventurous self wanted to attempt to make the pies from scratch - including the crusts - but my snuffly self is going to settle for store-bought. Or frozen. Eee gads.
It will all be delicious no matter what!
Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends near and far!
But never fear! Meals are planned (including Turkey Tettrazini and Turkey Pot Pie for leftovers) and J. and I are heading to WinCo shortly for supplies. Then it will be a day of pie baking; sauce simmering; and general prep work for the big day tomorrow. Even with it being just the three of us, it's still a special day!
J. and H. went to AmaLuna last night at AT&T park - I was decidedly under the weather and the 2.5 hour trip there and then back again combined with the cold and the show time itself was not something I thought I could weather. They both seemed to enjoy it....so that's good. H. is off until Friday so he's enjoying some down time. He and J. also went to San Leandro yesterday for lunch with J.'s brother. I worked 1/2 day....so missed the lunch, too.
Today, H. discovered the joy of direct deposit! He doesn't have to drive to Stockton to pick up his check 'cuz it was in his bank account when he woke up this morning! After a gazillion jobs where we kept trying to get him to set it up, he finally did it. No 'hold' on his account for a day or two - just the awesomeness of all funds available the morning of pay day! Progress!
Even with my head aching and nose snuffling, it's going to be a fun day! I'm determined! And I like cooking on days when I can just immerse myself in the process.
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green bean casserole and crescent rolls are the traditional menu and I'm not messing with tradition. The pies will be berry (hopefully) and pumpkin. My adventurous self wanted to attempt to make the pies from scratch - including the crusts - but my snuffly self is going to settle for store-bought. Or frozen. Eee gads.
It will all be delicious no matter what!
Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends near and far!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Mania
The ABBA Mania show was great - even better when we realized that what we were watching wasn't a 'concert'. It was a 'stage show' - musical theater with everything carefully scripted and choreographed. Right down to the hand movements. Having never seen the group ABBA live in my life, there was nothing to compare it to - but apparently, their show was pretty full of 'dance' as well. After the first few songs, the audience got more into it and it was a lot of fun. It was also one of the longest shows we've been to at Gallo - a full two hours with a 15 minute intermission. I did know most of the songs so enjoyed singing along. Fun evening.
Yesterday, J. and I went to Mi Pueblo for lunch. We must have been missing Playa 'cuz this market that opened here in Tracy about a year ago is straight out of Mexico. We enjoyed a quick lunch from their 'food court' and then wandered the store. The panderia is just like in Mexico. And there is a great selection of fish, meats and cheese. And their food court has a wide selection of items for there or take out. We also got fresh tortillas right off the conveyor belt. It was fun...and a little shocking to realize that their prices are really high on 'normal' groceries. Not that we'd shop there often - but to get a grilled chicken fresh off the BBQ would be great for dinner now and then.
We headed to Savemart and dug around in the freezer case to find a 13 pound turkey. That's the smallest we could find so we grabbed it. I'll start meal planning and assessing inventory here and J. will shop tomorrow at Winco. I'm hoping I can go with him - working Monday and Tuesday but hopeful I can leave a bit 'earlier' than usual (3PM instead of 5 or 6 would be lovely).
After 37 years, J.'s last and final paycheck was in our account Friday morning. Now we're 'on our own'. I'm sure we'll be fine....though Christmas is looming and that's a hard time to budget for no matter what the inflow is. It's official - he's retired! Though he is looking into being trained as an Affordable Care Act workers who can assist people with their insurance options. We'll see how that works out. Mainly something to keep him busy vs. a money thing.
Some folks in our neighborhood have inflated turkey decorations on their lawns. Others are already in full blown Christmas decor mode. I want to have the house decorated before B. is home on the 14th so we have a lot to do - but there is no way we are decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. And also no way I will buy an inflatable turkey. What's next? Huge four leaf clovers? Bunnies? Hearts? Seriously....
H. is off T-W-Th this week so that's great! He's not getting 40 hours yet but considering he's making more than double the hourly wage he was making, he's doing OK. He has to pay his union membership fee weekly so that's a chunk off the top...and he has to 'phone it in' weekly vs. them just deducting from his check. He also has to pay us back weekly for the new phone we had to buy him when his old phone crumbled into bits.
I've had enough 'wake up' time so will get dressed and start the day.
Yesterday, J. and I went to Mi Pueblo for lunch. We must have been missing Playa 'cuz this market that opened here in Tracy about a year ago is straight out of Mexico. We enjoyed a quick lunch from their 'food court' and then wandered the store. The panderia is just like in Mexico. And there is a great selection of fish, meats and cheese. And their food court has a wide selection of items for there or take out. We also got fresh tortillas right off the conveyor belt. It was fun...and a little shocking to realize that their prices are really high on 'normal' groceries. Not that we'd shop there often - but to get a grilled chicken fresh off the BBQ would be great for dinner now and then.
We headed to Savemart and dug around in the freezer case to find a 13 pound turkey. That's the smallest we could find so we grabbed it. I'll start meal planning and assessing inventory here and J. will shop tomorrow at Winco. I'm hoping I can go with him - working Monday and Tuesday but hopeful I can leave a bit 'earlier' than usual (3PM instead of 5 or 6 would be lovely).
After 37 years, J.'s last and final paycheck was in our account Friday morning. Now we're 'on our own'. I'm sure we'll be fine....though Christmas is looming and that's a hard time to budget for no matter what the inflow is. It's official - he's retired! Though he is looking into being trained as an Affordable Care Act workers who can assist people with their insurance options. We'll see how that works out. Mainly something to keep him busy vs. a money thing.
Some folks in our neighborhood have inflated turkey decorations on their lawns. Others are already in full blown Christmas decor mode. I want to have the house decorated before B. is home on the 14th so we have a lot to do - but there is no way we are decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. And also no way I will buy an inflatable turkey. What's next? Huge four leaf clovers? Bunnies? Hearts? Seriously....
H. is off T-W-Th this week so that's great! He's not getting 40 hours yet but considering he's making more than double the hourly wage he was making, he's doing OK. He has to pay his union membership fee weekly so that's a chunk off the top...and he has to 'phone it in' weekly vs. them just deducting from his check. He also has to pay us back weekly for the new phone we had to buy him when his old phone crumbled into bits.
I've had enough 'wake up' time so will get dressed and start the day.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Paper Cut
Survived the mind-numbing seven hour construction meeting. Me and four men in a conference room most of the day (we did finally take a lunch just after 1PM when my boss looked at me and said 'Lunch'? . Followed quickly by 'she needs to eat so let's go'). I like that he's starting to know me well enough to know when sustenance is required. I didn't even have to nod or verbalize anything - one look and he knew it was time to eat.
It was an excellent meeting and we are making such amazing progress but the list continues to grow. Yesterday's revelation (towards the very end of the meeting) was confirmation of something I've been worried about for a very long time: we are probably going to have to dig an additional well on the school campus we are modernizing. "Modernizing", you say "but you have to dig a well?". Yes. The school is outside the city limits and is not on city water or sewer. And the fire codes require that we have capacity to sprinkle the buildings for an hour - which necessitates a 500,000 gallon water tank on the property (also new). And to constantly cycle and fill that tank requires more water pressure capacity than our existing two wells can provide.
Crap. That's another $100K - $200K in expense on a project that is already perilously close to not being do-able within the confines of the budget.
Discovering this fact - that I have long been vocal about - at the end of a meeting when we are within a few months of breaking ground - is not a great thing. Sometimes I feel like it's a gender thing - they listen to me but they don't actually hear what I'm saying -
Oh well. Pun not intended but bringing a smile to my face. It will all work out.
I should be off all next week - historically I am. But I think I will be working at least part of Monday and Tuesday just to keep progressing on the 'huge report'. I started so early - really, really early - and thought I was 'ahead' but in the end, it will be a mad dash. It always is.
There's been some discourse in the ranks this week and I struggle with so much anxiety about stupid stuff. Fairly well versed in tamping down panic over things I can't control - and yet. Seemingly equally well versed in making my self bonkers about things periodically. Feel so stupid when I let my head create a mountain out of nothing - but yet, I keep doing that.
We have tickets to ABBA Mania at the Gallo Center tonight and I know if I can stay vertical that long, I will enjoy the show. Next Tuesday, we are going to San Francisco to see Amaluna - a new Cirque de Soleil show. It's at AT&T park (outside?) so that should be interesting. Layers. Lots of layers.
Part of this weekend will be spent locating a small turkey. We're hoping to find a 10 pounder but likely in the low teens.
And I'm trying the bread starter again. And again....probably. No success yet. But I'm not giving up. I think I need to consider also giving it a try in the Spring or Summer when it's not freezing. I seem to get in the 'let's try this again mode' in the cold and bluster of Winter...making the 'keep starter warm' part of the process a huge challenge, even with the new gadget.
I realized I didn't explain the reason for the title: before the construction meeting, in the very brief time I had available, I handed off a ton of stuff to my assistant. As I was re-grouping a stack of stuff, I got a very nasty paper cut on the palm of my hand. About an inch long and it was from a file folder! Hurts like a son-of-a-gun and is in a very bad place so it keeps reopening. OUCH!!
My first reaction was 'it's going to be a horrible day'. But it wasn't. It was just a paper cut - not a day altering, mood altering thing. Just a paper cut.
First step in not spiraling to dark places is just reminding myself that things aren't as bad as they seem most of the time.
It was an excellent meeting and we are making such amazing progress but the list continues to grow. Yesterday's revelation (towards the very end of the meeting) was confirmation of something I've been worried about for a very long time: we are probably going to have to dig an additional well on the school campus we are modernizing. "Modernizing", you say "but you have to dig a well?". Yes. The school is outside the city limits and is not on city water or sewer. And the fire codes require that we have capacity to sprinkle the buildings for an hour - which necessitates a 500,000 gallon water tank on the property (also new). And to constantly cycle and fill that tank requires more water pressure capacity than our existing two wells can provide.
Crap. That's another $100K - $200K in expense on a project that is already perilously close to not being do-able within the confines of the budget.
Discovering this fact - that I have long been vocal about - at the end of a meeting when we are within a few months of breaking ground - is not a great thing. Sometimes I feel like it's a gender thing - they listen to me but they don't actually hear what I'm saying -
Oh well. Pun not intended but bringing a smile to my face. It will all work out.
I should be off all next week - historically I am. But I think I will be working at least part of Monday and Tuesday just to keep progressing on the 'huge report'. I started so early - really, really early - and thought I was 'ahead' but in the end, it will be a mad dash. It always is.
There's been some discourse in the ranks this week and I struggle with so much anxiety about stupid stuff. Fairly well versed in tamping down panic over things I can't control - and yet. Seemingly equally well versed in making my self bonkers about things periodically. Feel so stupid when I let my head create a mountain out of nothing - but yet, I keep doing that.
We have tickets to ABBA Mania at the Gallo Center tonight and I know if I can stay vertical that long, I will enjoy the show. Next Tuesday, we are going to San Francisco to see Amaluna - a new Cirque de Soleil show. It's at AT&T park (outside?) so that should be interesting. Layers. Lots of layers.
Part of this weekend will be spent locating a small turkey. We're hoping to find a 10 pounder but likely in the low teens.
And I'm trying the bread starter again. And again....probably. No success yet. But I'm not giving up. I think I need to consider also giving it a try in the Spring or Summer when it's not freezing. I seem to get in the 'let's try this again mode' in the cold and bluster of Winter...making the 'keep starter warm' part of the process a huge challenge, even with the new gadget.
I realized I didn't explain the reason for the title: before the construction meeting, in the very brief time I had available, I handed off a ton of stuff to my assistant. As I was re-grouping a stack of stuff, I got a very nasty paper cut on the palm of my hand. About an inch long and it was from a file folder! Hurts like a son-of-a-gun and is in a very bad place so it keeps reopening. OUCH!!
My first reaction was 'it's going to be a horrible day'. But it wasn't. It was just a paper cut - not a day altering, mood altering thing. Just a paper cut.
First step in not spiraling to dark places is just reminding myself that things aren't as bad as they seem most of the time.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Constructing
Hump day is a memory (already).
Thank you to my wonderful husband who made a Rite-Aid pity run last night and procured supplies for the maladies among-st us. The cold he and H. have had for a week hit me this week. Tuesday was Cheese Grater throat day. Yesterday was Scratchy Itchy throat day.
This morning is just I Feel Like Crap But I'm Going to Work Anyway day. Which followed You Are Not Going to Sleep Much at All night.
We have a fleet of people flying up for a big construction meeting and I can't miss it. Though every fiber in my body is begging me TO miss it. I won't.
H. is also under the weather and J. picked up Nyquil for him. I hope he is OK 'cuz we kept telling him to 'take it early and go to bed'. He is working today and a 4AM start time after a Nyquil night could be bad. Equipment + Nyquil = Recipe for Disaster.
Once a Mom, always a Mom.
On the weather front - it poured (POURED) rain here yesterday repeatedly. The storm drains on our district office site were quickly overwhelmed. Eventually, the man hole covers 'gurgled' off and water was geysering UP from the storm drains and back onto our campus. Combined with the deluge, we were quickly looking at 3 feet of standing water. When the City trucks came to assist, the back of the truck was at water level and his tail pipe was submerged. It was really something -
It made us all miss our former boss 'cuz the same thing happened four years ago on the night he signed his contract. That board meeting is one for the memory books 'cuz that time, the water was so high, it actually covered the ramps of some of our buildings and was 'lapping' at the entry level to our buildings.
Memories....like the corners of my mind......
The storm also caused a power failure and when I left last night, my computer was not able to 'power up'. I called the help desk and left it running a recovery program - so I am praying it actually recovered. The 'big report' that I worked on continually yesterday would be horrific to lose.
And if it's lost, I am going to lose it. Guaranteed.
Thank you to my wonderful husband who made a Rite-Aid pity run last night and procured supplies for the maladies among-st us. The cold he and H. have had for a week hit me this week. Tuesday was Cheese Grater throat day. Yesterday was Scratchy Itchy throat day.
This morning is just I Feel Like Crap But I'm Going to Work Anyway day. Which followed You Are Not Going to Sleep Much at All night.
We have a fleet of people flying up for a big construction meeting and I can't miss it. Though every fiber in my body is begging me TO miss it. I won't.
H. is also under the weather and J. picked up Nyquil for him. I hope he is OK 'cuz we kept telling him to 'take it early and go to bed'. He is working today and a 4AM start time after a Nyquil night could be bad. Equipment + Nyquil = Recipe for Disaster.
Once a Mom, always a Mom.
On the weather front - it poured (POURED) rain here yesterday repeatedly. The storm drains on our district office site were quickly overwhelmed. Eventually, the man hole covers 'gurgled' off and water was geysering UP from the storm drains and back onto our campus. Combined with the deluge, we were quickly looking at 3 feet of standing water. When the City trucks came to assist, the back of the truck was at water level and his tail pipe was submerged. It was really something -
It made us all miss our former boss 'cuz the same thing happened four years ago on the night he signed his contract. That board meeting is one for the memory books 'cuz that time, the water was so high, it actually covered the ramps of some of our buildings and was 'lapping' at the entry level to our buildings.
Memories....like the corners of my mind......
The storm also caused a power failure and when I left last night, my computer was not able to 'power up'. I called the help desk and left it running a recovery program - so I am praying it actually recovered. The 'big report' that I worked on continually yesterday would be horrific to lose.
And if it's lost, I am going to lose it. Guaranteed.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sucks(tion)
That's a play on words sort of....'cuz it's Monday and that sucks.
And on a whim, we decided to get the carpets cleaned and they were able to come now. Really. They wanted to come Saturday (we called Friday early afternoon) but J. knew that the one day I was semi-home would be a bad day to have guys with huge, noisy equipment roaming around our home. So it's today.
I feel so bad for J. 'cuz there's a crap-load of stuff to do around here before their 11AM arrival.
So it sucks that it's Monday but I feel a slightly (and somewhat guiltily) relieved that I get to escape to work. It will all be worth it in the end - but oh my. So much work.
B. called last night and said he thinks he can come home a week earlier than he planned...so we'll see. Will be lovely to have him home for however long he can be home. He's planning to take friends camping - in the winter. I get the feeling that he's all gung-ho about it while his friends are less than.
I woke up with a start 'cuz I realized I have yet another huge thing 'due' soon so it's early to work for me today. I blocked my entire week for my 'big report' and truly may close the door just to have quiet. Working yesterday was lovely 'cuz it was so quiet.
I've tried three rounds of bread starter and still can't get it to 'foam and bubble'. For the second time, I'm attempting to make a yeast-less bread when the house is clearly cold-ish and even with the mechanical proof box, it's hard. It's also hard to judge 'lukewarm'. You scald the milk and then let it cool to lukewarm. Too cool and the bacterium in the corn meal won't multiply. Too hot and you kill the bacterium. It's like a mad science project in process. I'm going to keep trying, though - but will wait until the weekend now 'cuz if by some miracle I get starter #1 to bloom, I need to be around for starter #2 (yes, this bread is torture - but worth it).
H. just came downstairs - he has a really bad cold. I don't think it helps that he has a virtual 'apartment' in the backyard and he hangs out there more often than not. Translation: he's smoking (cigarettes) quite a bit and he can't do that in the house. I think he thinks that if he stays sick enough, I will at some point relent and say 'OK, you can smoke in the house'. But I won't. Ever. He gets pissy when I point out that his cough is likely more a result of smoking combined with cold weather - but it's the truth. He's in for a long winter.
If we text him to ask 'where are you?', he answers 'The Steakhouse'. Translation: Outback. Get it? LOL......
He said 'oh, are you taking a day off today'? Huh? I said 'no, it's 5:30AM - I'm going in early but not THAT early'.
And on a whim, we decided to get the carpets cleaned and they were able to come now. Really. They wanted to come Saturday (we called Friday early afternoon) but J. knew that the one day I was semi-home would be a bad day to have guys with huge, noisy equipment roaming around our home. So it's today.
I feel so bad for J. 'cuz there's a crap-load of stuff to do around here before their 11AM arrival.
So it sucks that it's Monday but I feel a slightly (and somewhat guiltily) relieved that I get to escape to work. It will all be worth it in the end - but oh my. So much work.
B. called last night and said he thinks he can come home a week earlier than he planned...so we'll see. Will be lovely to have him home for however long he can be home. He's planning to take friends camping - in the winter. I get the feeling that he's all gung-ho about it while his friends are less than.
I woke up with a start 'cuz I realized I have yet another huge thing 'due' soon so it's early to work for me today. I blocked my entire week for my 'big report' and truly may close the door just to have quiet. Working yesterday was lovely 'cuz it was so quiet.
I've tried three rounds of bread starter and still can't get it to 'foam and bubble'. For the second time, I'm attempting to make a yeast-less bread when the house is clearly cold-ish and even with the mechanical proof box, it's hard. It's also hard to judge 'lukewarm'. You scald the milk and then let it cool to lukewarm. Too cool and the bacterium in the corn meal won't multiply. Too hot and you kill the bacterium. It's like a mad science project in process. I'm going to keep trying, though - but will wait until the weekend now 'cuz if by some miracle I get starter #1 to bloom, I need to be around for starter #2 (yes, this bread is torture - but worth it).
H. just came downstairs - he has a really bad cold. I don't think it helps that he has a virtual 'apartment' in the backyard and he hangs out there more often than not. Translation: he's smoking (cigarettes) quite a bit and he can't do that in the house. I think he thinks that if he stays sick enough, I will at some point relent and say 'OK, you can smoke in the house'. But I won't. Ever. He gets pissy when I point out that his cough is likely more a result of smoking combined with cold weather - but it's the truth. He's in for a long winter.
If we text him to ask 'where are you?', he answers 'The Steakhouse'. Translation: Outback. Get it? LOL......
He said 'oh, are you taking a day off today'? Huh? I said 'no, it's 5:30AM - I'm going in early but not THAT early'.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Box Fermentation
Remember many moons ago when I spent an entire vacation attempting to make Salt Rising Bread? It was a failure - 'cuz it's near impossible to find a place where a nice 95 degree temp is consistently maintained. Salt Rising Bread has no yeast. It relies on natural fermentation to get a 'slight rise'. It is dense and delicious and one of the most amazing breads for toast you will ever eat.
It is incredibly hard to make and it is becoming a lost art. It's the fermentation of the starter that makes it such a challenge. So I'm trying something new.
Behold -
This is a bread proof box. It is electric and will maintain a constant temp.
I have a batch of Starter # 1 in their now that will hopefully be a bubbly, fermenting mess in 8-12 hours thanks to this new gadget.
If all goes well, we'll be noshing on a loaf of bread by tomorrow evening.
There are still a gazillion things that could go wrong - but at least with this constant temperature box, I stand a chance.
I'll keep you posted -
Wintery
Though sunny and bright, it's getting cold. Craving central heat but trying to make do. Added a blanket at the bottom of the bed - folded into four layers to warm my feet. Wishing it was the early 1900's and I had one of those feet warmer things fresh out of the fire 'cuz when my feet are cold, it takes forever to warm up.
I spent the day running errands - finally returned the six umbrellas left from the work Halloween project. Respent those funds on groceries. Also did the Operation Christmas Child annual shopping trip and was relieved to find really neat things at Target this year. I'm not sure we can get it all in the boxes but we'll try and can always return stuff if we over-planned. I always try to get a few little 'toy-like' things (this year includes slide whistles, foam airplanes, crayons, pads of paper, pencils and a sharpener, small jigsaw puzzles, jelly beans in a very small box, gum, toothbrush and toothpaste. Just realized I forgot hair combs - I'll get those tomorrow). I love this annual event and look forward to the shopping every year - and I'm equally as glad that it's done and off my list.
It's the time of year for a lot of lists. You?
B. is back at Ft. Bliss and has been assigned to the recon unit - that's the group that heads out ahead of troops and makes sure everything's set up correctly. No, Ft. Bragg's adventure didn't work out quite as planned - but that's OK. We are firmly confident that journey worked out exactly as it's supposed to - though that may not have been what B. would have preferred. As I have been in the past, I'm more impressed than ever with his resilience and his stick-to-it-ness and he's already planning his next adventure. It's all good. Really. Less than 50% of those that tried out made it - so he's in good company - and trying is the biggest lesson to learn. You have to try. So he will continue to.
I had a hair appointment in Modesto this afternoon - but I think I'm coming to terms with not being able to spend 3-4 hours every five weeks to get something simple like a haircut. Back to local salons - somewhere. I love my stylist to bits but my time on weekends is just incredibly precious to me - and I just plain don't want to spend time driving 45 minutes or more each way for a 30 minute haircut. I'll send her a nice card with a gift card as a holiday gift and let her know that I just can't make the trip there every month. My good intentions are outweighed by life's business - and ultimately, I choose time with my family and myself.
Didn't I write a week or so ago about Maple Bread? Sourdough bread cooked in real maple syrup and butter until the sugar is just on the 'crazy side' of caramelized? J. kindly made it for me for breakfast this morning - and then comes in and says 'I'm going to call that New England Toast if there's no other name for it'. Huh? There is another name for it - the name the recipe uses and the name I called it when I asked you to make it for me. Scratching my head sometimes at his bursts of creativity....
I spent the day running errands - finally returned the six umbrellas left from the work Halloween project. Respent those funds on groceries. Also did the Operation Christmas Child annual shopping trip and was relieved to find really neat things at Target this year. I'm not sure we can get it all in the boxes but we'll try and can always return stuff if we over-planned. I always try to get a few little 'toy-like' things (this year includes slide whistles, foam airplanes, crayons, pads of paper, pencils and a sharpener, small jigsaw puzzles, jelly beans in a very small box, gum, toothbrush and toothpaste. Just realized I forgot hair combs - I'll get those tomorrow). I love this annual event and look forward to the shopping every year - and I'm equally as glad that it's done and off my list.
It's the time of year for a lot of lists. You?
B. is back at Ft. Bliss and has been assigned to the recon unit - that's the group that heads out ahead of troops and makes sure everything's set up correctly. No, Ft. Bragg's adventure didn't work out quite as planned - but that's OK. We are firmly confident that journey worked out exactly as it's supposed to - though that may not have been what B. would have preferred. As I have been in the past, I'm more impressed than ever with his resilience and his stick-to-it-ness and he's already planning his next adventure. It's all good. Really. Less than 50% of those that tried out made it - so he's in good company - and trying is the biggest lesson to learn. You have to try. So he will continue to.
I had a hair appointment in Modesto this afternoon - but I think I'm coming to terms with not being able to spend 3-4 hours every five weeks to get something simple like a haircut. Back to local salons - somewhere. I love my stylist to bits but my time on weekends is just incredibly precious to me - and I just plain don't want to spend time driving 45 minutes or more each way for a 30 minute haircut. I'll send her a nice card with a gift card as a holiday gift and let her know that I just can't make the trip there every month. My good intentions are outweighed by life's business - and ultimately, I choose time with my family and myself.
Didn't I write a week or so ago about Maple Bread? Sourdough bread cooked in real maple syrup and butter until the sugar is just on the 'crazy side' of caramelized? J. kindly made it for me for breakfast this morning - and then comes in and says 'I'm going to call that New England Toast if there's no other name for it'. Huh? There is another name for it - the name the recipe uses and the name I called it when I asked you to make it for me. Scratching my head sometimes at his bursts of creativity....
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Green Light Update
He was on again for a split second....so now I'm torturing myself with thoughts like:
Maybe his phone's been stolen and someone is trying to figure out how to use it?
Maybe he's injured and out in the wild, praying for a signal, hoping for a way to summon help?
Maybe he's hoping for a message from us only we aren't messaging him 'cuz we think he has no access to his phone - only he apparently clearly does - unless it's not him - but still, should I message him so he'll know we're still thinking about him constantly?
Maybe he's at the airport on his way back to El Paso having not finished the training and he's not wanting to tell us that so he tries to sneak on the phone when we're not looking - 'cuz the green light disappears within nano seconds of me popping back on Facebook.
My poor kids. Their mother is often a nut job surrounding their activities.
On a good note: thanks to Chase for promptly refunding the over payment. Yep, I did it again - only instead of double paying the mortgage, I double paid our credit card bill. Had it been our usual monthly bill of a few hundred dollars, I would have just let it go and this month would be paid for already...but no. I double paid the bill with my recent MRI on it so that's a HUGE amount to have as a credit balance. It would have taken many, many months to 'use' that amount so I am glad they quickly refunded. There's less than a 24 hour period where your recently posted online payment doesn't show as paid - and I hit that window and thought I hadn't set it up - so I paid it again. Bugger. Thanks, Chase.
Alright - it's 6AM and I haven't yet headed to the shower. You can kill a massive amount of time on the web...and stalking your son on Facebook.
Maybe his phone's been stolen and someone is trying to figure out how to use it?
Maybe he's injured and out in the wild, praying for a signal, hoping for a way to summon help?
Maybe he's hoping for a message from us only we aren't messaging him 'cuz we think he has no access to his phone - only he apparently clearly does - unless it's not him - but still, should I message him so he'll know we're still thinking about him constantly?
Maybe he's at the airport on his way back to El Paso having not finished the training and he's not wanting to tell us that so he tries to sneak on the phone when we're not looking - 'cuz the green light disappears within nano seconds of me popping back on Facebook.
My poor kids. Their mother is often a nut job surrounding their activities.
On a good note: thanks to Chase for promptly refunding the over payment. Yep, I did it again - only instead of double paying the mortgage, I double paid our credit card bill. Had it been our usual monthly bill of a few hundred dollars, I would have just let it go and this month would be paid for already...but no. I double paid the bill with my recent MRI on it so that's a HUGE amount to have as a credit balance. It would have taken many, many months to 'use' that amount so I am glad they quickly refunded. There's less than a 24 hour period where your recently posted online payment doesn't show as paid - and I hit that window and thought I hadn't set it up - so I paid it again. Bugger. Thanks, Chase.
Alright - it's 6AM and I haven't yet headed to the shower. You can kill a massive amount of time on the web...and stalking your son on Facebook.
Green Light
Started the day very early (awakened at 3:30AM during a hot flash of ginormous proportion) and it felt like a good idea to just stay awake. Doing that enabled me to start the day with a Facebook chat with my cousin (always a treat!). Then out to watch the Space Station overhead. Fascinates me always. Though staring up into the sky makes me woozy. Tilting my head back...it's an inner ear thing. I'm pretty adept at spotting the station but have been known to stare at a star and convince myself it's moving...but I found it. It moves so quickly....
Three minutes ago, my son was on Facebook - his instant message 'chat' button green for a split second. Almost as if he knew that his Mom had 'seen' him and was about to message him, he signed off. So now his phone starts the count down again to when he's last online until eventually, it will go dark. I hope he's OK...he's on the downhill side now. Still, I worry and seeing him for a minute just has my heart and mind racing.
Only a couple more days.
I was toying with the idea of taking Friday off - more working at home and calling it a day off - but it turns out that the two other senior district admin folks are both heading to Southern California for the weekend so I'm 'in charge' on Friday. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong that day. I've got plenty to do so it's fine.
Yesterday flew by - which is miraculous considering it was a very long day. Productive; good meetings and a great board meeting. Decisions made and now we move forward on setting up a temporary campus for our middle school which begins constructions in March and will be 'brand new' by the 15-16 school year. Lots of work ahead but we'll get there.
Today's agenda is a couple meetings; confirming plans with my boss; getting things moving ahead. Tomorrow, I host a monthly meeting and need to figure out what I'm going to serve 15 people for breakfast. I had grand plans to bake tonight - but I'm leaning towards heading to the Bagel Cafe in the early morning and getting fresh bagels. It's more expensive but oh well.
Three minutes ago, my son was on Facebook - his instant message 'chat' button green for a split second. Almost as if he knew that his Mom had 'seen' him and was about to message him, he signed off. So now his phone starts the count down again to when he's last online until eventually, it will go dark. I hope he's OK...he's on the downhill side now. Still, I worry and seeing him for a minute just has my heart and mind racing.
Only a couple more days.
I was toying with the idea of taking Friday off - more working at home and calling it a day off - but it turns out that the two other senior district admin folks are both heading to Southern California for the weekend so I'm 'in charge' on Friday. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong that day. I've got plenty to do so it's fine.
Yesterday flew by - which is miraculous considering it was a very long day. Productive; good meetings and a great board meeting. Decisions made and now we move forward on setting up a temporary campus for our middle school which begins constructions in March and will be 'brand new' by the 15-16 school year. Lots of work ahead but we'll get there.
Today's agenda is a couple meetings; confirming plans with my boss; getting things moving ahead. Tomorrow, I host a monthly meeting and need to figure out what I'm going to serve 15 people for breakfast. I had grand plans to bake tonight - but I'm leaning towards heading to the Bagel Cafe in the early morning and getting fresh bagels. It's more expensive but oh well.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
I'm Still Standing
Channeling Elton this morning....
Note to hubby: please (pleeeeeaaaasseee) fix the timer on the sprinklers so they come on at 6AM. The time change has them coming on at 5 which is about the time I head downstairs lately. There is nothing harder than being barely awake and trying to navigate a potty-dancing puppy (she's always a puppy to me) through the house and out front. That lawn is also soaked (as is the walkway down the house to the driveway) but at least the sprinklers are off. I had to use a leash 'cuz I was a nervous wreck she was going to bolt after a dog or a cat - or the wind.
My feet are wet and she still hasn't finished all her 'business' - but I've done what I can. She won't go out again - so I'm officially declaring her morning ablutions complete, whether they are or aren't.
I planned to get up early enough to be at my desk by 6AM - but it's a board meeting day today so why make a long day incredibly long? I'm aiming for 7 which will still mean a 13 hour day. That's hard after three days of more off than on.
A huge thank you to my wonderful cousin S. who sent me a sweet note of encouragement and support within minutes of my last post. I sure wish we lived closer so we could have these conversations in person - and maybe someday, we will! Thanks so much, S. . You warmed my heart when it needed warming -
Finding joy in small things this morning - it's already Tuesday - tomorrow will (already) be hump day and then it's a downhill slide to the weekend. Not a weekend of no work but at least two days of no alarm which is lovely. Though thankfully this morning, I woke up early on my own - before the alarm.
Off to get dressed. I forgot to get clothes for J. to iron for me (isn't he a dream? Even better than a dream 'cuz he will iron for me if I get clothes downstairs before I go to sleep) so I have to navigate my closet and figure out what to wear.
A Tuesday that feels like a Monday. But Friday's a coming! Can't wait to hear from our boy!
Note to hubby: please (pleeeeeaaaasseee) fix the timer on the sprinklers so they come on at 6AM. The time change has them coming on at 5 which is about the time I head downstairs lately. There is nothing harder than being barely awake and trying to navigate a potty-dancing puppy (she's always a puppy to me) through the house and out front. That lawn is also soaked (as is the walkway down the house to the driveway) but at least the sprinklers are off. I had to use a leash 'cuz I was a nervous wreck she was going to bolt after a dog or a cat - or the wind.
My feet are wet and she still hasn't finished all her 'business' - but I've done what I can. She won't go out again - so I'm officially declaring her morning ablutions complete, whether they are or aren't.
I planned to get up early enough to be at my desk by 6AM - but it's a board meeting day today so why make a long day incredibly long? I'm aiming for 7 which will still mean a 13 hour day. That's hard after three days of more off than on.
A huge thank you to my wonderful cousin S. who sent me a sweet note of encouragement and support within minutes of my last post. I sure wish we lived closer so we could have these conversations in person - and maybe someday, we will! Thanks so much, S. . You warmed my heart when it needed warming -
Finding joy in small things this morning - it's already Tuesday - tomorrow will (already) be hump day and then it's a downhill slide to the weekend. Not a weekend of no work but at least two days of no alarm which is lovely. Though thankfully this morning, I woke up early on my own - before the alarm.
Off to get dressed. I forgot to get clothes for J. to iron for me (isn't he a dream? Even better than a dream 'cuz he will iron for me if I get clothes downstairs before I go to sleep) so I have to navigate my closet and figure out what to wear.
A Tuesday that feels like a Monday. But Friday's a coming! Can't wait to hear from our boy!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Already? All Ready?
Weekends sure fly by, don't they? Wow. It's already Monday evening (feels like Sunday, doesn't it? If it doesn't, it's probably 'cuz you're not working so the days are all the same to you. Lucky!). The only thing making that fact palatable is that we're one day closer to hearing from B. . Three weeks is a really, really long time to go without talking to him. I'm pretty sure it's far longer than any Basic Training communication gap - at least it sure feels that way. Three weeks of absolutely zero interaction is really hard. Both J. and I are thinking of him constantly - watching for any sign of life on Facebook (none - his phone is 'dark' as it has been for 2 weeks and three days). The only indication he's still alive is that he's gone to the PX at Ft. Bragg a couple times - so I know he's OK. Probably buying blister stuff or something.
It will only be a few more days - I'm on pins and needles. I think he said that if he makes it to week three, it's 'downhill' from there - so I hope this week is easier than others. Undoubtedly none of it has been easy. He likes challenges and they are good for him.
Still, I held out hope they'd give them a call home for Veteran's Day - but no.
I worked today and spent some of that just sitting at my desk (went in to the office) attempting to avoid panic. Kept reminding myself to breath. Just breath. When the state of California turns education funding on it's ear - truly revolutionary and yet still so full of holes and issues and problems - they really do a good job complicating everything twenty fold. Yikes. I no sooner thought I'd figured it all out then I'd see something else that made me wonder - and that would lead to more minutes of reminding myself to breath. At one point, every time I blinked, I saw bright red. That worried me a bit 'cuz I don't know why that was happening - I think it was just tired eyes 'cuz I took a break from the spreadsheets and data littered all over my desk and the red disappeared.
Though seeing red may be the most appropriate, truthful reaction I could possibly have.
We've had so many years of uncertainty - and to continue to need to deliver that same message still/yet again/seemingly endlessly - is just so hard. There are just so many moving parts right now - some State issues/factors; some distinctly related to just our district; some that are just still unknown as the State hasn't issued guidance on huge chunks of the new funding and reporting about how those funds are used - that it's impossible to feel or react optimistically to any of it. And that just discourages me so much. As a CBO and as a person. We haven't had ongoing raises since 2006-07. And while much looks 'better', it's not so great that it's a cartwheel turning, break out the champagne kind of thing.
And we have a new Superintendent and it's all new to him - true, it's all new to me and every other CBO and Sup in the state at the moment - but education funding is all new to him and that adds complexity. It's hard to communicate hugely complex things that are stunningly new and vague to someone who is brand new to all of it. Old vs. new doesn't mean anything to him - so I have to communicate both.
We will muddle through. And I will muddle through.
When a CBO friend from another district returned my email question with a call, she shared how overwhelmed and stressed she is. And I bit my tongue 'cuz I will always listen and support my peers as they do me when I'm panicking and worried. It happens. And having friends is what helps get you through those scary, hard days. But this friend manages (truly, literally - this is not an exaggeration in any way) 20% of what I'm responsible for. She is a CBO - but she doesn't manage Food Services or Transportation or Facilities or Construction or Maintenance and Operations or Technology. None of that. She manages strictly Business (which I also manage) - budget, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable. That's it. So biting my tongue whilst being supportive of her 'moment' was incredibly hard.
I hung up the phone and closed my eyes and took many deep breaths just to get through it. I should have an MOT director (for the Maintenance, Operations & Transportation stuff) but I don't and won't for some time - budget reduction that we don't think we can afford to put back. I have an interim Food Service director - no management experience and it's all learning for her regarding the funding for Food Service, etc. . There is literally not enough of me to go around. Spread thin doesn't even begin to describe it lately.
I exist therefore I persist.
It will only be a few more days - I'm on pins and needles. I think he said that if he makes it to week three, it's 'downhill' from there - so I hope this week is easier than others. Undoubtedly none of it has been easy. He likes challenges and they are good for him.
Still, I held out hope they'd give them a call home for Veteran's Day - but no.
I worked today and spent some of that just sitting at my desk (went in to the office) attempting to avoid panic. Kept reminding myself to breath. Just breath. When the state of California turns education funding on it's ear - truly revolutionary and yet still so full of holes and issues and problems - they really do a good job complicating everything twenty fold. Yikes. I no sooner thought I'd figured it all out then I'd see something else that made me wonder - and that would lead to more minutes of reminding myself to breath. At one point, every time I blinked, I saw bright red. That worried me a bit 'cuz I don't know why that was happening - I think it was just tired eyes 'cuz I took a break from the spreadsheets and data littered all over my desk and the red disappeared.
Though seeing red may be the most appropriate, truthful reaction I could possibly have.
We've had so many years of uncertainty - and to continue to need to deliver that same message still/yet again/seemingly endlessly - is just so hard. There are just so many moving parts right now - some State issues/factors; some distinctly related to just our district; some that are just still unknown as the State hasn't issued guidance on huge chunks of the new funding and reporting about how those funds are used - that it's impossible to feel or react optimistically to any of it. And that just discourages me so much. As a CBO and as a person. We haven't had ongoing raises since 2006-07. And while much looks 'better', it's not so great that it's a cartwheel turning, break out the champagne kind of thing.
And we have a new Superintendent and it's all new to him - true, it's all new to me and every other CBO and Sup in the state at the moment - but education funding is all new to him and that adds complexity. It's hard to communicate hugely complex things that are stunningly new and vague to someone who is brand new to all of it. Old vs. new doesn't mean anything to him - so I have to communicate both.
We will muddle through. And I will muddle through.
When a CBO friend from another district returned my email question with a call, she shared how overwhelmed and stressed she is. And I bit my tongue 'cuz I will always listen and support my peers as they do me when I'm panicking and worried. It happens. And having friends is what helps get you through those scary, hard days. But this friend manages (truly, literally - this is not an exaggeration in any way) 20% of what I'm responsible for. She is a CBO - but she doesn't manage Food Services or Transportation or Facilities or Construction or Maintenance and Operations or Technology. None of that. She manages strictly Business (which I also manage) - budget, accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable. That's it. So biting my tongue whilst being supportive of her 'moment' was incredibly hard.
I hung up the phone and closed my eyes and took many deep breaths just to get through it. I should have an MOT director (for the Maintenance, Operations & Transportation stuff) but I don't and won't for some time - budget reduction that we don't think we can afford to put back. I have an interim Food Service director - no management experience and it's all learning for her regarding the funding for Food Service, etc. . There is literally not enough of me to go around. Spread thin doesn't even begin to describe it lately.
I exist therefore I persist.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Waiting
The house phone rang at 8:50ish last night and my heart sort of jumped. Already upstairs, I awaited someone coming up the stairs to tell me it was B. . It wasn't. I know that's really a good thing - a call mid-week half way through his selection process time frame would probably mean something hadn't gone well. Still, I hope. Anytime the house phone rings - I feel like Downton Abbey calling it a house phone but it so rarely rings these days that I have to clarify which phone. Cell phones are far more used than our land line - my heart sort of hopes. Then it quickly doesn't. Then it does again.
We will hear from him a week from tomorrow for sure and hopefully it will be good news. So we wait. I'm not great at waiting.
We had our first ever district wide Spelling Bee yesterday and it was so much fun. I got to be a judge which felt stressful - but I reminded myself that it was much harder on the spellers than on any of us judges. We had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to next year! The words were really hard and I felt relieved to have the list in front of me 'cuz I would have struggled with spelling some of the words selected.
Today is a no meeting day where I will plow through a bunch of board prep stuff. Tomorrow is more board prep and our (now) regularly scheduled 4 hour construction meeting. 1-4:30ish every Friday afternoon. While the timing of a 'committed meeting' isn't great, it's the only time we could all wedge in and it is time well spent. Sort of like church - I never want to go but I always feel better after getting there. Only unlike church where no one but me makes the decision - the meeting isn't really optional. Though I often wish it was. I am always glad I went and I learn something new about the plans each week. Time well spent...but the minute the meeting is over, I am out the door. We are really getting into the details of the build and it's going to be a lot of fun watching all our hard work be constructed next year.
With an upcoming 3-day weekend to look forward to - and the excuses of not working Saturday 'cuz I'm lunching with a friend in Lodi who I haven't seen in over a year and not working Sunday 'cuz our finance system is down that day for it's monthly maintenance - I look forward to three 'no alarm' days. And just time chillaxing with my peeps.
We will hear from him a week from tomorrow for sure and hopefully it will be good news. So we wait. I'm not great at waiting.
We had our first ever district wide Spelling Bee yesterday and it was so much fun. I got to be a judge which felt stressful - but I reminded myself that it was much harder on the spellers than on any of us judges. We had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to next year! The words were really hard and I felt relieved to have the list in front of me 'cuz I would have struggled with spelling some of the words selected.
Today is a no meeting day where I will plow through a bunch of board prep stuff. Tomorrow is more board prep and our (now) regularly scheduled 4 hour construction meeting. 1-4:30ish every Friday afternoon. While the timing of a 'committed meeting' isn't great, it's the only time we could all wedge in and it is time well spent. Sort of like church - I never want to go but I always feel better after getting there. Only unlike church where no one but me makes the decision - the meeting isn't really optional. Though I often wish it was. I am always glad I went and I learn something new about the plans each week. Time well spent...but the minute the meeting is over, I am out the door. We are really getting into the details of the build and it's going to be a lot of fun watching all our hard work be constructed next year.
With an upcoming 3-day weekend to look forward to - and the excuses of not working Saturday 'cuz I'm lunching with a friend in Lodi who I haven't seen in over a year and not working Sunday 'cuz our finance system is down that day for it's monthly maintenance - I look forward to three 'no alarm' days. And just time chillaxing with my peeps.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Saving Daylight?
Yesterday was the longest Monday in history. No, nothing happened to make it so. It was a good day - productive, meeting free. I got a HUGE amount done and felt great about that - made up for not working on Sunday. But the day dragged by. Everyone in my office felt the same - we'd look at the clock and be hugely disappointed that it wasn't later since we thought it would be. Maybe it's the time change? It felt like forever and I left on the dot of an 8 hour day 'cuz it was that kind of day - watching the clock and waiting for it to be over.
Upon arriving home, I changed into workout clothes and J. and I went to the gym. For him, this was his third workout of the day - he took his usual long morning walk; then a quicker walk with the dog right before I got home. He accompanied me 'cuz neither of us have set foot in the gym (we've been paying for a membership forever - we actually joined when we first moved to Tracy 'cuz the kids went to a daycare program there for awhile and it was cheaper if we were members. We stopped that for awhile when the 'Olympic size pool' they promised in their membership materials wasn't built after a few years. Eventually, they did remodel - and we haven't been in since that remodel. B. was going at least once a day when he lived here and H. still goes now and then..) since it was remodeled a few years ago and we wanted to take a tour together.
I wanted to try something like a 'tread climber' - rumored to be easier on your joints while still burning more calories than walking. We did treadmill and tread climber for long enough for me to break out a sweat. I made J. promise that he wouldn't comment on how long I did (or didn't) make it - 'cuz my goal was: get there and move for as long as I felt like it. So I did. Tonight, I will bring ear buds so I can hook in to the audio and watch some TV while I workout. Being less bored should help. We are going to try to schedule time with a trainer to show us the machines, etc. . There's a 29 minute 'circuit training' area with all kinds of machines and 29 minutes seems do-able. Doing that and some aerobics every other day (at least) would do me a world of good.
I'm not too sore this morning and the only bad thing is that I woke up with a hugely bad raging headache. I am dehydrated - not because of the work out. I just didn't drink my usual one or two glasses of water in the evening and I am paying for that now. Liquid in the form of coffee is helping a bit and I will remember to grab water before heading to the gym tonight. That combined with drinking a glass of water with dinner tonight will help.
What motivated me suddenly? I have no idea except to say that I saw an ad for the Tread Climber and looked at buying one online. And I stopped myself 'cuz really? We have practically an entire gym of 'stuff' in this house that is seldom used. And we pay $100 for a gym membership that is used sporadically - so I'd rather start getting the value for the gym membership and not add more junk to the house. The gym is about 5 minutes from our house so it's easy to get to. And if I start running into too many people I know, there's another location we can go to that's 'down town'. A little further but likely far less populated. I don't want to cancel the gym 'cuz B. will go every single day he's home. And H. was going pretty often and may start again. In the mean time, it will be something J. and I can do together. A sweaty date night a few times a week. :-)
J. said he planned to be up at 6 this morning 'cuz he's playing golf. Shortly after, he remembered that the cleaning crew comes today and he will need time to do his usual 'pick up; tidy up' before they get here. He says 'I'll get up at 6'. I said 'that's the same time you said you'd get up when you weren't remembering the cleaning crew was coming. How will that work?'. So he's up at 5:45. I will help. I got up at 4:45 this morning (earliest I've been up in ages) so I have time.
I hope today goes slightly more quickly than yesterday. I have board prep to keep me busy and a couple meetings to break up the day.
Upon arriving home, I changed into workout clothes and J. and I went to the gym. For him, this was his third workout of the day - he took his usual long morning walk; then a quicker walk with the dog right before I got home. He accompanied me 'cuz neither of us have set foot in the gym (we've been paying for a membership forever - we actually joined when we first moved to Tracy 'cuz the kids went to a daycare program there for awhile and it was cheaper if we were members. We stopped that for awhile when the 'Olympic size pool' they promised in their membership materials wasn't built after a few years. Eventually, they did remodel - and we haven't been in since that remodel. B. was going at least once a day when he lived here and H. still goes now and then..) since it was remodeled a few years ago and we wanted to take a tour together.
I wanted to try something like a 'tread climber' - rumored to be easier on your joints while still burning more calories than walking. We did treadmill and tread climber for long enough for me to break out a sweat. I made J. promise that he wouldn't comment on how long I did (or didn't) make it - 'cuz my goal was: get there and move for as long as I felt like it. So I did. Tonight, I will bring ear buds so I can hook in to the audio and watch some TV while I workout. Being less bored should help. We are going to try to schedule time with a trainer to show us the machines, etc. . There's a 29 minute 'circuit training' area with all kinds of machines and 29 minutes seems do-able. Doing that and some aerobics every other day (at least) would do me a world of good.
I'm not too sore this morning and the only bad thing is that I woke up with a hugely bad raging headache. I am dehydrated - not because of the work out. I just didn't drink my usual one or two glasses of water in the evening and I am paying for that now. Liquid in the form of coffee is helping a bit and I will remember to grab water before heading to the gym tonight. That combined with drinking a glass of water with dinner tonight will help.
What motivated me suddenly? I have no idea except to say that I saw an ad for the Tread Climber and looked at buying one online. And I stopped myself 'cuz really? We have practically an entire gym of 'stuff' in this house that is seldom used. And we pay $100 for a gym membership that is used sporadically - so I'd rather start getting the value for the gym membership and not add more junk to the house. The gym is about 5 minutes from our house so it's easy to get to. And if I start running into too many people I know, there's another location we can go to that's 'down town'. A little further but likely far less populated. I don't want to cancel the gym 'cuz B. will go every single day he's home. And H. was going pretty often and may start again. In the mean time, it will be something J. and I can do together. A sweaty date night a few times a week. :-)
J. said he planned to be up at 6 this morning 'cuz he's playing golf. Shortly after, he remembered that the cleaning crew comes today and he will need time to do his usual 'pick up; tidy up' before they get here. He says 'I'll get up at 6'. I said 'that's the same time you said you'd get up when you weren't remembering the cleaning crew was coming. How will that work?'. So he's up at 5:45. I will help. I got up at 4:45 this morning (earliest I've been up in ages) so I have time.
I hope today goes slightly more quickly than yesterday. I have board prep to keep me busy and a couple meetings to break up the day.
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Extra Time!
Feel like we've made such great use of the extra hour today! Things we've done include:
- Cleaned the refrigerator out quite a bit. It's still jammed full but it's cleaner.
- We went to the UPS store yesterday to get some documents notarized [there are a lot of documents to sign and notarize when you are the spouse of someone retiring] and decided to run into Savemart to pick up some 1/2 and 1/2 for cream of potato/leek soup. They were having a $5 meat sale - packaged meats usually $6-9 on sale for $5 each. So we stocked up on ground turkey, some pork ribs and thin sliced steaks....which filled up the fridge pretty darn quickly. Hence the cleaning needed today 'cuz we can't fit milk in.
- Made maple bread with cream cheese for breakfast. I got the recipe of the Heartland Table show and holy cow! it is sinfully delicious. While it's sweet and satisfying, it really has only 1/4 c. of maple syrup and butter - so reasonably low sugar.
- H. has suddenly taken an interest in things he's never known about - he found the 'real maple' syrup in the fridge and thinks it's 'amazing'. And he ate most of the honey walnut prawns we had in our Chinese Food order for dinner last night. He's never even considered eating prawns - but honey walnut are too delicious to resist, I guess.
- We bought more maple syrup (real) since we're sort of obsessed with the maple bread - but we're hiding it. H. is on a waffle kick - three nights last week - and we're not upgrading his syrup to the real thing. No way.
- Thanks to Nespresso for the Chinese dinner last night - I won a $50 gift card participating in their survey. That Am Ex gift card combined with the $7.15 we got back from the title company from our mortgage closing paid for dinner last night - delicious!
- I ground at least 2 pounds of coffee - restocking us for a couple weeks. We store the freshly ground coffee in our air-tight, vacuum sealed coffee canisters. It's something we don't do often 'cuz it's noisy - it will wake people up in the morning and/or makes the TV in the family room un-hearable - so I usually do it in batches when we're down to the dregs and nobody will be bothered by the noise. This morning's leisurely multiple cups brought us to the brink of 'no coffee for morning'. Hence the grinding marathon.
- While coffee grinding, I tidied the kitchen. Cleaning counters. Gathering up all the dish towels and (with J.'s help) got a load of towels going.
- Washed all the blankets that go on my bed - I just don't like putting them on the bed until I make sure they're clean.
- My husband strongly encouraged me to go get a flu shot with him - so I did. While there, I also got the shingles vaccine. J.'s already had that vaccine - but I need it. My brother-in-law B. had shingles recently and it was horrible for him - so I want to do whatever I can to prevent that malady from entering my life.
- Went to our local liquor store (Pete's) to cash in lottery scratchers. I'm superstitious and Pete's is 'my place'. The brothers that own the place are super nice and while there is certainly a lot of diversity in their shop, I feel safe and comfortable. I always cash in tickets for more tickets 'cuz I feel like I will win there, someday. Here's hoping.
- While at Pete's, I bought a six pack of Firestone DBA 'cuz it's Sunday and I want to unwind a bit before heading into another busy week. It's delicious. When I asked the guy at the liquor store if he had that beer, he directed me to a case where they have Firestone limited edition ales. They were close to $17 each (large bottle in a gift box) and while I didn't get that tonight (opted for the $7.99 six pack of just 'regular' DBA), I plan to go back and try the limited edition soon!
- Went to Raley's for a few things - and was shocked and dismayed to hear "Little Drummer Boy" playing on the Muzak at the store. Really? It's just too soon for Christmas carols, even for me - and y'all know I'm a Christmas maniac.
- Enjoyed hearing H. talk about his job. He wears a headset with a mic and talks to the computer. Her name is Jennifer. Together, they put orders together on pallets - gathering and shrink wrapping as they go. When the order is 'picked' and done, they then take it to a truck bay door to load on a truck. It's all computerized and pretty darn amazing. Jennifer knows exactly how long it should take H. to do every single step of the process - based on the products needed, the location of the products and the steps H. will have to take to complete the order. He hit 50% productivity today - two weeks ahead of schedule. And this week, two guys were walking by and said 'nice work'. Then, one came back and asked H. for his name and said 'that's one of the best pallets I've ever seen'. SCORE! for H. He loves doing this kind of work. He worked 7 hours today (his longest shift yet) and he said the day just flew by.
- It's approaching 6PM - it was getting dark at 4:30 (one bad thing about the time change) and I'm pleasantly full (OH - also got drip beef sandwiches in the crock pot earlier today) - delicious! Too many pepperocinis for me but the 'boys' loved them. I had a lovely sandwich - I just skipped the au jus 'cuz it was too spicy for me. I'm also a teeny bit pleasantly buzzed after two beers - so early to bed for me!
It's been a lovely weekend and even working yesterday was time well spent - productive and enjoyed the quiet and lack of interruptions.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Silly Observations
Happy Halloween!
I give you 'stuff' that I've been thinking of....
I give you 'stuff' that I've been thinking of....
- There's a video on Yahoo about a baby's emotional response to his mom singing. What I noticed is that he tears up (heavily) when she's singing and smiles when she stops. So is it emotion he is exhibiting when she sings? Or just a strong desire for her to stop singing? I don't think his tears are the 'emotion' of hearing his mom sing - I think he doesn't like the sound and smiles when she's done. (She has a beautiful voice).
- If I try and you don't try, that's OK. I will keep trying. Until I stop. I'm pretty black and white that way. I will eventually stop. Just so you know.
- It is 7:30 but it feels much later. I'm ready for the time change this weekend - not just because it will be an extra hour of sleep. It's dark so early and it makes it feel so 'late'. I am struggling to stay awake and there are still quite a few kids out and about - dog barking, doorbell ringing.
- We dressed up at work today and it was tons of fun. I have a really great picture to post but I need to edit it (to blur faces of people who probably wouldn't want their pic on my blog). We were jellyfish and our costumes turned out so great!
- In less than two months, we will hopefully be enjoying a long visit with B. . We haven't heard from him; don't expect to hear from him but know he is OK 'cuz there were some transactions on his debit card in the past couple days.
That's it for now - tomorrow is November! Can you believe it?
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Oh My Gosh Wednesday
Just because closing docs are signed doesn't mean the deal is done, apparently. Last night, J. happened to notice an email requesting our full tax returns for 2011 & 2012. Argh! Our mortgage payment to our current company is due in a couple days - so now we're sort of in a holding pattern again while we await them actually funding our new loan. Criminy! Seriously....argh!
I'm sure it will all work out.
I have been uber productive at work - I am always productive - but this week, I have been in true 'hunker down' mode - politely but firmly requesting no interruptions as I plow through updating our finance system with the new state funding model as we know it. It's a lot of 'mechanical transactions' that have to be entered and not the kind of thing to do with constant interruptions. I think that's often why I go in on weekends - it's quite; no phones; no people; no questions, requests for signatures, etc. . Just me, my calculator, pencils and paper - and a lot of data entry. I should have 'people' to do this for me - but we don't - always leanly staffed and that 'tradition' continues.
Haven't heard from B. which is good - no news is awesome at this point. When the phone rang sort of late last night, I watched the Caller ID with trepidation - hoping it wasn't B. calling. It was a hotel chain - which made me think 'is he now at the Marriott'? He isn't. He's fine though I'm sure he's cold, tired and possibly rethinking his 'plan'. But he'll stick to it.
H. finally friended us on Facebook. Finally. I think it was an appeasement for something he did that was so incredibly gross, I will not write down the details. Never mind the motive - he did it! I like seeing his status updates.
He's off today and adjusting to a 4AM start time - where he was told 'if you are late, just forget it - you're done'. So he's been getting up really, REALLY early to allow plenty of time. Thankfully, he has been going to sleep earlier so he's getting more rest.
Off to another busy day - work is going 'better' which I say somewhat cautiously. A little communication goes a long way to mending fences.
I'm sure it will all work out.
I have been uber productive at work - I am always productive - but this week, I have been in true 'hunker down' mode - politely but firmly requesting no interruptions as I plow through updating our finance system with the new state funding model as we know it. It's a lot of 'mechanical transactions' that have to be entered and not the kind of thing to do with constant interruptions. I think that's often why I go in on weekends - it's quite; no phones; no people; no questions, requests for signatures, etc. . Just me, my calculator, pencils and paper - and a lot of data entry. I should have 'people' to do this for me - but we don't - always leanly staffed and that 'tradition' continues.
Haven't heard from B. which is good - no news is awesome at this point. When the phone rang sort of late last night, I watched the Caller ID with trepidation - hoping it wasn't B. calling. It was a hotel chain - which made me think 'is he now at the Marriott'? He isn't. He's fine though I'm sure he's cold, tired and possibly rethinking his 'plan'. But he'll stick to it.
H. finally friended us on Facebook. Finally. I think it was an appeasement for something he did that was so incredibly gross, I will not write down the details. Never mind the motive - he did it! I like seeing his status updates.
He's off today and adjusting to a 4AM start time - where he was told 'if you are late, just forget it - you're done'. So he's been getting up really, REALLY early to allow plenty of time. Thankfully, he has been going to sleep earlier so he's getting more rest.
Off to another busy day - work is going 'better' which I say somewhat cautiously. A little communication goes a long way to mending fences.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
30%
Celebrating a lot today!! First, it's Saturday! I love weekends! Forced myself to sleep in this morning and relished the coziness. It's getting cooler and time to put a blanket on the bed.
We're also celebrating because our house is officially refinanced and our mortgage payment is officially reduced 30%! We drove to Walnut Creek yesterday to sign the loan documents and marveled at how this process was 30 days vs. the months we spent being jerked around by two 'big banks' who couldn't get their processes together enough to close the deal. Note to us: never, ever go through a lender directly. We used a highly recommended broker and had we gone with him from the start, we'd have been done months ago. Oh well - we learned. We are so relieved to have it done and the amount we will save over the life of the loan is amazing. If rates fall again, we'll do it again. Turns out my fretting about not qualifying if we didn't have J.'s continuation salary in the equation wasn't an issue - the loan was qualified on my income alone. So if the rates change again, we could refi again...and that feels really good. I had been so worried that without J.'s income, we would be 'stuck' in the 5.75% mortgage forever - but we wouldn't have been and aren't stuck even in our new mortgage, should things change.
B. has entered training for his next goal so he is officially incommunicado for the next three weeks. We won't hear from him until November 15th. He called last night to confirm he was there safely - he couldn't sleep 'cuz of the time change (he's back to being three hours ahead of us in North Carolina vs. the one hour ahead of El Paso). He is stoked - and nervous. My anxiety is on high as well - there is a lot riding on this for him and I feel nervous and excited and cautiously optimistic all at once. He said it's not as bad as basic - no yelling (so far) and because all the soldiers there are 'experienced', they are treated more as 'adults' vs. as kids that need to be broken. Today, they get 'checked in' and tomorrow, they start the training - no pictures; no Facebook page; no updates of any kind. If he calls between now and the 15th, it will probably be 'cuz something 'bad' has happened - so we hope he won't call instead of hoping he will.
H.'s new job is going great - he was selected for the 'warm' warehouse which he's happy about. He enjoyed Thursday and Friday off (the first two days in a row he's had off in a couple months) and today, he works five hours instead of ten. He's enjoying the job. He will officially be a Teamster!
It was a good week on the work front - though I put over 300 miles on my car and was out of the office more than in. Lots of meetings at the County Office as well as a workshop in Sacramento. Time in the car with my new boss which was fun - and when I was in the office, there were a gillion meetings about upcoming construction projects. Busy, busy week and next weeks will be more of the same.
Today, it's stuff around the house - yard work, getting donations ready for pickup (five full bags so far and I'm sure we'll get quite a few more ready today). I am gently (sort of) nudging my husband to work on his closet 'cuz he has clothes in there he hasn't worn in decades.
Halloween decor also to be done soon...and we need more candy!
We're also celebrating because our house is officially refinanced and our mortgage payment is officially reduced 30%! We drove to Walnut Creek yesterday to sign the loan documents and marveled at how this process was 30 days vs. the months we spent being jerked around by two 'big banks' who couldn't get their processes together enough to close the deal. Note to us: never, ever go through a lender directly. We used a highly recommended broker and had we gone with him from the start, we'd have been done months ago. Oh well - we learned. We are so relieved to have it done and the amount we will save over the life of the loan is amazing. If rates fall again, we'll do it again. Turns out my fretting about not qualifying if we didn't have J.'s continuation salary in the equation wasn't an issue - the loan was qualified on my income alone. So if the rates change again, we could refi again...and that feels really good. I had been so worried that without J.'s income, we would be 'stuck' in the 5.75% mortgage forever - but we wouldn't have been and aren't stuck even in our new mortgage, should things change.
B. has entered training for his next goal so he is officially incommunicado for the next three weeks. We won't hear from him until November 15th. He called last night to confirm he was there safely - he couldn't sleep 'cuz of the time change (he's back to being three hours ahead of us in North Carolina vs. the one hour ahead of El Paso). He is stoked - and nervous. My anxiety is on high as well - there is a lot riding on this for him and I feel nervous and excited and cautiously optimistic all at once. He said it's not as bad as basic - no yelling (so far) and because all the soldiers there are 'experienced', they are treated more as 'adults' vs. as kids that need to be broken. Today, they get 'checked in' and tomorrow, they start the training - no pictures; no Facebook page; no updates of any kind. If he calls between now and the 15th, it will probably be 'cuz something 'bad' has happened - so we hope he won't call instead of hoping he will.
H.'s new job is going great - he was selected for the 'warm' warehouse which he's happy about. He enjoyed Thursday and Friday off (the first two days in a row he's had off in a couple months) and today, he works five hours instead of ten. He's enjoying the job. He will officially be a Teamster!
It was a good week on the work front - though I put over 300 miles on my car and was out of the office more than in. Lots of meetings at the County Office as well as a workshop in Sacramento. Time in the car with my new boss which was fun - and when I was in the office, there were a gillion meetings about upcoming construction projects. Busy, busy week and next weeks will be more of the same.
Today, it's stuff around the house - yard work, getting donations ready for pickup (five full bags so far and I'm sure we'll get quite a few more ready today). I am gently (sort of) nudging my husband to work on his closet 'cuz he has clothes in there he hasn't worn in decades.
Halloween decor also to be done soon...and we need more candy!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Firestone
Bonus! The ribs have a glaze that requires a dark beer. J. sought advice at the grocery and bought one large bottle of Firestone DBA (Double Barrel Ale). We had plenty for the glaze and plenty leftover and it is DELICIOUS!
It's approaching 5PM - ribs will be done in 15 minutes and then we glaze them and cook on high(er) heat another 15 minutes, glazing off and on. The glaze has crushed sweet onion and ginger (food processor crunch) with the dark beer, molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup and lime juice. DELICIOUS!
We sent B. a pic of them as they went into the oven - and I promised to have these on the list of things we cook when he's home.
I really do enjoy cooking - I love the process - planning, shopping, prepping, cooking and of course the eating. Probably a good thing I'm not retired 'cuz I'd gain a ton of weight if I had time to cook like this everyday.
Made it into work for a bit so feel good about that, too.
It's nice to be feeling more 'positive' about things in general.
Which of course can only mean something bad is about to happen -
My mind is a marvel of quandary.
It's approaching 5PM - ribs will be done in 15 minutes and then we glaze them and cook on high(er) heat another 15 minutes, glazing off and on. The glaze has crushed sweet onion and ginger (food processor crunch) with the dark beer, molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup and lime juice. DELICIOUS!
We sent B. a pic of them as they went into the oven - and I promised to have these on the list of things we cook when he's home.
I really do enjoy cooking - I love the process - planning, shopping, prepping, cooking and of course the eating. Probably a good thing I'm not retired 'cuz I'd gain a ton of weight if I had time to cook like this everyday.
Made it into work for a bit so feel good about that, too.
It's nice to be feeling more 'positive' about things in general.
Which of course can only mean something bad is about to happen -
My mind is a marvel of quandary.
B. Update
Enjoyed a fairly long conversation with B. who is getting ready to leave for Ft. Bragg on Friday. He has a massive list of 'stuff' he needs to have ready and he's out of money - so he needed a loan. No worries - he is now solvent and will be able to take care of what needs to be done before he leaves. I don't mind helping him out - he's doing an OK job of keeping track and heck, a year ago, he wouldn't have had any idea how much money he did or didn't have. So just the fact that he said 'I have $80 left but that's not going to be enough for what I need to do before I get paid again' is a huge, HUGE improvement for him. Fiscal solvency is a journey - and he's learning. Glad we are here to help him out when he needs it - if we weren't, he'd be using credit to do stuff and I don't want him to do that. Trying so hard to not have him think credit is a viable option - his credit card is in the drawer of my desk and that's where it's staying.
He will be in a 'lock down' mode for three weeks - they take his cell phone when he arrives and unlike Basic, he says not to expect the occasional call. He will call when he's done (three weeks later), hopefully with good news.
This new journey he's going on means that while all of his Headquarter buddies were recently deployed out to units, they held him back again. His commanding officer said they didn't want to hold a space for him when they know he's leaving for three weeks - so once the training is done, he will still be assigned to HQ and have to wait to be farmed out to a unit. If all goes well, he heads to Ft. Benning (back to Georgia) for three weeks in May or June and then will be in Ft. Bragg (North Carolina) for a couple years. We will see.
He is very excited about coming home for Christmas and is trying really hard to get someone (anyone!) there to confirm when he needs to be back. He has 4 weeks of leave available as well as the Christmas closure time and he'd really like to try to stay home for as long as he can - 3-4 weeks, he says. That would be lovely -
Thankfully, Southwest doesn't charge a fee for changing a ticket - you just pay the difference in fare should you need to change - which isn't cheap but is better than a fee on top of the airfare change. He's going to try to talk to someone tomorrow and from there, we will just bite the bullet and buy the ticket. He'll get home - and as military, he can always just 'stand-by' at the airport until they can get him on a flight to where he wants to go.
He is dreaming about being home - lattes, good food, time with friends, maybe some snowboarding. I asked what things he wants to do while he's here - maybe San Fran for a day; lots of down time...no firm plans and I guess like all of us, that's the best vacation ever - just chillaxing with friends and family while enjoying the holidays.
So instead of heading to work this morning, looks like I will get the ribs in the oven and then head to the office this afternoon for a bit. A bit of a routine change but oh well - it was lovely to talk to him un-rushed and at a time of day when I'm not struggling to keep my eyes open.
I am really proud of him and happy that he is enjoying what he's doing -
He will be in a 'lock down' mode for three weeks - they take his cell phone when he arrives and unlike Basic, he says not to expect the occasional call. He will call when he's done (three weeks later), hopefully with good news.
This new journey he's going on means that while all of his Headquarter buddies were recently deployed out to units, they held him back again. His commanding officer said they didn't want to hold a space for him when they know he's leaving for three weeks - so once the training is done, he will still be assigned to HQ and have to wait to be farmed out to a unit. If all goes well, he heads to Ft. Benning (back to Georgia) for three weeks in May or June and then will be in Ft. Bragg (North Carolina) for a couple years. We will see.
He is very excited about coming home for Christmas and is trying really hard to get someone (anyone!) there to confirm when he needs to be back. He has 4 weeks of leave available as well as the Christmas closure time and he'd really like to try to stay home for as long as he can - 3-4 weeks, he says. That would be lovely -
Thankfully, Southwest doesn't charge a fee for changing a ticket - you just pay the difference in fare should you need to change - which isn't cheap but is better than a fee on top of the airfare change. He's going to try to talk to someone tomorrow and from there, we will just bite the bullet and buy the ticket. He'll get home - and as military, he can always just 'stand-by' at the airport until they can get him on a flight to where he wants to go.
He is dreaming about being home - lattes, good food, time with friends, maybe some snowboarding. I asked what things he wants to do while he's here - maybe San Fran for a day; lots of down time...no firm plans and I guess like all of us, that's the best vacation ever - just chillaxing with friends and family while enjoying the holidays.
So instead of heading to work this morning, looks like I will get the ribs in the oven and then head to the office this afternoon for a bit. A bit of a routine change but oh well - it was lovely to talk to him un-rushed and at a time of day when I'm not struggling to keep my eyes open.
I am really proud of him and happy that he is enjoying what he's doing -
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Tales of Helpers
Our cleaning lady D. is here today - she wears earbuds and chats on the phone while she works. She is the third cleaning 'person(s)'...
