Boo

Happy Halloween to all, by the way. I almost forgot. While I did wear a pumpkin pin and Ali's cool bracelet today, it's not exactly one of my fav holidays. It's for the kids, and that's great, but I'm not big on scary crap. I don't put cobwebs in my windows (on purpose), watch horror flicks or play recordings of loud screams when people walk by my house. I'm more the flower/butterfly type.

I can probably count the times I dressed in costume as an adult on one hand. And I can remember handing candy out to kids once (we're never home). I'm not a Halloween scrooge, just not "into it". I'll do whatever I can to assure that my girls have fun and that's all that matters.

For all of you hitting the streets tonight... be careful out there.

He said, she said

Note to self: Avoid talking politics.

No matter who brings it up, the conversation gets hairy. We all have different opinions and beliefs, and that's what makes us unique and this world so interesting. We're also passionate about different things. It doesn't pay to try convincing someone to go along with what you believe in. We are this way because of how we were raised or past experiences.

We all need to agree that it's OK to like different candidates. This is America.

Isn't it ironic

Brenda called me last night. The great-grandpa that died on the ship is true! Grace told the story at "show and tell" on Tuesday and that's why Julia shared with us yesterday at breakfast. It wasn't the Titanic though, but the Edmund Fitzgerald.

So, apparently I gave Julia way too much credit thinking she came up with that story on her own while the Titanic ad was running on the radio. Cracks me up. Talk about timing on her part.

As far as the Edmund Fitzgerald... my fav Gordon song ever.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down-
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee-

Thanks to Brenda and her family I learned a little bit of history today. I did my research this morn on the ship and now know the whole story.

I sleep at night

Remember that position that I applied for but later found out it was 3rd shift? They called me. The conversation was brief. I could have used the interview experience... maybe next time.

Up in smoke

So I had this dream last night. The girls were going on a field trip and a lot of us parents were going along. Right before we got on the bus I decided to get high. I was hiding the smoke and everything. (How ridiculous is this?) One of the moms gave me Visine before I boarded to mask the eyeballs. Some of the parents started to talk while we were cruising on the bus. Although they never straight out accused me, they knew that "someone" was doing drugs and one lady even tried to snatch my purse.

Later in the dream we were running down this road to catch up with the rest of the group and the harder we ran the more difficult it became. You know how there's this force that prevents you from reaching your destination? I was clawing my way down the sidewalk, grasping at street poles, trying to move. It was awful.

I guess that's what I deserve for smoking pot on an elementary school field trip. What was I thinking?

Historic fib

Over breakfast this morning Julia tells us a story about her friend, Grace. Apparently Grace's great-grandfather died on a ship. He was even Captain of that ship. Alison started to doubt the story and Julia was adamant about it.

A: I'm going to ask Lauren (Grace's sister).

J: She doesn't know about it.

Me: Why would Grace know the story and not Lauren?

J: She just does.

As this conversation started to wind down I heard talking on the radio. It's an advertisement for the Titanic exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. What a little shit.

A penny saved

I've been contemplating alternate forms of income. Something supplemental to help build the savings up. I don't need spending money for groceries or gas. What I want is to stash as much extra money away as possible. With the economy as it is I figure I either need to put away for that rainy day when I may be unemployed, or if I'm fortunate enough for that to never happen, use that money for our future. I have three people to get through college and it ain't cheap.

The quickest and easiest way (although lowest on moral standards) would be prostitution. Seeing as how I have rules on who I'll have sex with, that probably isn't going to happen. Other ideas that come to mind are weekend bartending or part-time jobs for companies that want fill-in people. A job with tips would make most sense since my sparkling personality is bound to fill the pocket with change. :o) I only have two weekends a month where I'm available, though, so that's something else to consider.

With financial stability as my priority for the future, I'd rather work my ass off now so I can be comfortable later. If that means giving up social or home time when the girls are gone, so be it. I just need to find the right opportunity.

I wish I would have thought of all this when in my 20s. Priorities back then included corner taverns and road trips. I could use a few do-overs.

Why sentence structure is important

The visual of Mary standing there all hung made me smile.

The boss had to fire somebody, and he narrowed it down to one of two people, Mary or Jack. It was an impossible decision because they were both super workers. Rather than flip a coin, he decided he would fire the first one who used the water cooler the next morning. Mary came in the next morning with a horrible hangover after partying all night. She went to the cooler to take an aspirin.

The boss approached her and said: "Mary, I've never done this before, but I either have to lay you or Jack off ."

"Could you jack off?" she says......"I feel like shit."

Jennifer who?

What's all the to-do about Jennifer Hudson? When did she become so famous and news worthy? I'm not saying that her family story isn't tragic, because I surely wouldn't wish her current situation on anyone. It just seems that she climbed that star ladder awfully fast.

It sounds like she had somewhat of a rough childhood and was very close with her family. Her dad was gone at an early age and her mother raised the kids in southern Chicago. The story of the recent murders is sad, to say the least, but have you seen pics of the bro-in-law that is suspect in the killings? Not to judge a book by its cover, but...

Her mother and brother are gone and now breaking news on MSNBC is that they found the body of the missing nephew. It's a horrific time for Jennifer, but why is this story on the front page of the news and plastered all over every website and network? She was on American Idol (didn't win) and landed a role in Dreamgirls. I haven't seen it, but apparently she won an Oscar for the performance. Based on that, I was surprised by her part in Sex and the City. It wasn't that great. She seemed to be struggling with it and wasn't the natural that they depicted her to be. Now she has a role coming out in The Secret Life of Bees. I'm curious to see how that one goes for her.

I give her credit. She's come a long way from the slums of Chicago to Hollywood, but she's still a smaller supporting actress. It's not as if the family of Oprah has been murdered. It's Jennifer Hudson, a name that many people don't even know. Just doesn't seem national news to me.

We're all in this together

Tomorrow afternoon we are doing something that I normally wouldn't consider. I'm taking the girls and friends to High School Musical 3 at the theatre. Not only do I not do opening weekends at the theatre, but I don't go to the theatre very often, period. Once in a while it's fine for something to do, but the prices are ridiculous and I'm very content with getting my movie out of the mailbox and plopping down on my couch with a blanket. The girls are excited and that's what counts.

I'm blaming this little adventure on Lisa. It was her idea. Not that she twisted my arm or anything, but I wouldn't be doing it if she hadn't brought it up. I'll admit that I like some of the tunes, but a crowded theatre of screaming prepubescent girls... could be a real hoot. I'm in it for the popcorn.

The kid's got a point

Got this little story in an email this morning. While I never pass these things on, this one made me smile. What a smart kid to handle the situation this way. Reminded me of Alison.

Why Parents Drink

A mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Mom'. With the worst premonition she opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Mom:
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and Dad. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...Mom she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. Weʼll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Mom. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son Paul

P.S. Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at Dustin's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you. Call me when it's safe to come home.

Emily Post says so

In my book there's nothing worse than listening to someone else eat. Drives me bat shit crazy. Being in the same room with someone that has poor eating habits will literally take my appetite away. Whether it's smacking, slurping, chomping with open mouth or all of the above... I have a very low tolerance for any of it. Crunching down on a chip is one thing; that's impossible to avoid. Eating softer foods without manners is completely annoying.

Now put a person in another room. If you can still hear them smacking they should have all food taken away from them for three days (or longer) until they learn how to eat like an adult.

And you know what? If you're that freakin hungry where you have to eat like a savage tearing the flesh off a wild animal with its teeth, then have a damn snack inbetween meals.

You're gonna make it after all

I've been filling up on supplement vitamins lately. I have a history of low iron and feel like a slug by the end of day. Maybe the slug part is normal when you're constantly on the go, but I'm not getting any younger and can use any vitamins I can get. And the last few times I attempted to give blood I was denied, partially because of the low iron. So I'm taking the "one daily" crap after lunch and extra iron in the eve. It hasn't affected my inner operations like I thought it might, so that part is cool. I got all messed up when I was PG and taking iron, but what part of your body isn't modified when with child? Seriously. We never recover.

Oddly enough it seems as if I'm more beat up at the end of the eve than usual these days. I can't keep my eyes open by 9:00. I thought the supplements would have me skipping through the day, throwing my hat in the air like Mary TM. Instead I'm doing head bobs when I sit down at night. I think someone slipped me a few mickeys.

GPS needed

The last few times I came out of Walmart I couldn't find my car. Just happened again last night. You're probably thinking "what kind of delirium is she walking around in?", but honestly, could they make it a bit more confusing? There used to be one door to enter and exit. None of this multiple door business in case you wanted to hit the pharmacy first or the grocery section first. I usually park a tad off the beaten path so I'm not in the hub of traffic and go in the nearest door. Apparently when I check out at whatever register is open, the door I choose for my exit isn't the same one where I came in. So then I walk down an aisle and roam left or right to find the Honda. I know it's not like I'm parked in the heart of Lambeau or anything, but those damn multiple doors get me every time. I'm just saying.

Open the cookbooks

I did a lot of eating out this weekend and I'm not proud of myself. Not that I eat out often, because I really don't, but this weekend was every day. Friday night I grabbed a bite after a work happy hour, Saturday eve I helped a friend with his resume and we went out for dinner and a drink after and Sunday I picked up some wings because I promised the girls a football snack night.

I try to focus on grocery shopping with a budget and making home-cooked meals that will last us an extra day or two. I'm all about leftovers and the ease of a microwave. During the week we usually eat at home, plus I bring a lunch to work every day, resisting the idea of running for something quick at noon. It's a huge cost savings to BYO and so much healthier to boot. The weekends are my weakness. We tend to get busy in the afternoon and the desire to cook is about nill. That's something I have to work on.

With the economy as it is and food prices soaring (I couldn't believe the price of boneless chicken on Saturday) I am extra conscious of how we eat and where I shop. It's one area where we can easily trim a bit off the checkbook without noticing a huge change in lifestyle. Part of the fun of dining is making the dinner together. The girls like to help me cook, set the table and "serve". Not only are we saving money, but also spending quality time together as they learn a little about working in the kitchen. It's all good.

There was a crooked oven that had a crooked door

So I ordered a new oven and they delivered it last week. They had to take my back door off to get it in, put the cord on, level it... all that crap. It's all white and clean and the excitement kicked in. After the guys left my mom sees that the oven door doesn't shut tight. It sticks out funny on the left side. It appears to be sealed, but I'm not going to keep a brand new oven with a flaw. Leave it to Janie to be Debbie Downer, bursting my happiness bubble.

I called the owner of the company back and they're ordering me a new one. He said it was OK to use as is, so I'm making pizza finally after a few weeks of going without. One up side of the flaw is that next week I'll have another clean oven. I have to say that even with the door a bit funky I like this one much better than my other 3-yr old Amana. This is a Maytag and worth the couple extra bucks. First thing I noticed is that is heats up much faster. It's a noticeable difference, one that should make the girls happy when they're whining about when dinner will be done.

Leave it alone

The other day some strong winds kicked in overnight and one of the monster trees in my backyard regurgitated leaves everywhere. We couldn't even see the grass or driveway. The winds were howling out of the west, so it also littered my two neighbors' yards on the east side of me. I felt bad, but it's nature, right?

Am I responsible for those leaves because they came from my tree? Possession is 9/10 of the law, so technically they own them now. If I had to rake all three of our yards every time a breeze came by I'd have blistered hands and no time. It would be a circular process, constantly moving to one yard, then another, then back to the first yard again. After this monster tree with the yellow leaves sheds and I get everything all cleaned up the monster maple right next to it sheds about a week or two later. It becomes quite the fall project, although we don't mind it on a crisp, sunny day.

So, anyway, there was a little bit of guilt involved with the leaves even though I can't fool or control Mother Nature. I sucked up all of Bob's leaves next to me because he's disabled and it's really the right thing to do. I didn't take care of Scott's leaves. He's strong and able and has two grown children living in the house. They can handle it.

The irritating (yet fun) part of it all was Julia. Go figure. Every time I'd get a good pile together to vacuum up she'd plow through it all and roll around like a wiggly puppy. Kids.

Details

I found a job online that I thought had some possibilities. I knew I could handle the responsibilities, but it was all a matter of whether my resume said I could. So I modified it a tad (not making things up, just rewording my experience) to create a better fit for the position. It appears to be a good company, so I submitted my resume and cover letter on their corporate website.

Today I found the position on one of those career websites and it listed third shift! Sort of an important detail to leave out of the posting on the corporate site, don't ya think?? Now I'm hoping they don't call me, but if they do I'll just have to explain my findings. I'd like to stay eligible for future positions there.

Back to the ole drawing board.

Pick your poison

I have come to the point where I can't even have a few drinks over a Packer game with friends without feeling it the next day. I can count the number of drinks I had yesterday on one hand, plus I ate snacks and a burger. Still, I am not myself today. It may have something to do with the fact that I woke at midnight and was unable to fall asleep again until sometime after 3:00a. That'll make anyone a bit sluggish. But still, what a big Sally I am. Only 40 yrs old and a few rum and sours take me down.

You should see me when I start to lose count. I'm a useless POS for about two days. That and the fact that I look like someone just ran over me with a dump truck. This is why I have altered my lifestyle over the years and become much more the conservative drinker, if you will. Time is of the essence and wasting what little I have isn't very appealing anymore. I guess I could stop drinking altogether, that's a thought. Fact is, I actually like the way some of it tastes.

Shave and a haircut

I just remembered that I have my annual exam tomorrow aft. Which means that I'll have to get up 15 minutes early to shave my legs. Some days there's nothing fun about being a woman.

Untidy bowl

You know you're slacking on the housework when your seven year old walks out of the bathroom and offers to clean the toilet for you.

In with the new

The girls have been asking for mp3 players for quite some time now. Last year I told Ali to forget it. This year I've decided to get the players and told them to put it on their Santa list. I spent many an hour searching online, reading reviews and comparing costs. I want inexpensive players that are good quality, with all necessary features and that use all music file formats. I think I found the perfect player that meets these requirements. Heck, I even got free shipping on them.

Here's the thing. They're better than the one I have. Mine works fine, but it's quite a few years old and doesn't have some of the features that theirs do. Plus, mine cost more back in the day. We all know how technology gets more affordable in time. You always get more bang for your buck. Alison also has a nicer digital camera than I do. I ended up using hers last summer on our vacation and wouldn't let the poor kid have it back, because hers took better shots! Again, my two cameras are 7 and 3 years old.

How do these kids rate?? When I was their age I remember holding a big cassette player up to the radio so I could record music and make mix tapes. You had to time it perfectly so you didn't get the DJ talking inbetween. Real quality music there.

The long route home

Here's a real bummer. The liquor store is no longer on my way home. For those long days where I could really use a relaxant when I got home... it's no longer convenient. Not to sound like a lush or anything. I'm just saying.

The money tree

Not much to chat about today, besides that I'm currently downing some homemade lasagna and it's good... thank you very much. And what is a chunk of lasag without garlic bread, right?

I've been feeling real melancholy the last few days. Not actually depressed, but more mellow. I've had some laughs and smiles, but not much seems to excite me. I'm still in sort of a funk with the economy and this company I work at. I know, I know, I need to get over it. But every time I turn on the TV there is yet another story about the market crashing or a company going under. I can't control it, but I worry. Weakness of mine.

House Hunters last night had a couple that lived in NM, about an hour outside of Albuquerque. They had this huge, gorgeous house in the mountains and decided to buy a second home in Oregon on the beach. The second home was smaller than the first, but still larger than mine. It was adorable and it was on the beach. It sold for about $500k.

My thoughts (because I always have something to say): He is an accountant and she is a social worker of some sort. Where do they get this kind of cash?? Granted, NM definitely isn't the most expensive place to live. My sister used to have a home in Alamogordo and it was huge, beautiful and reasonably priced. This couple also didn't appear to have children, a huge life savings right there. I'm guessing they were in their late 40s or so. I didn't think accountants made that much money, at least not by the research I've done when career searching. They do OK, but most aren't bringing in six digits. Second, don't social workers mostly work for non-profits, which have little money for salaries? I couldn't figure out how they did this last night. I know nothing of their financial history or how they've gotten to where they are today, so I'm sure there's much more to the story. He's probably a hell of an investor and she probably turns tricks on the side.

Needing some sunshine

Not such a great morn. After attending a funeral for an old high school friend I came into work and had a bunch of messages waiting for me. Work that was indirectly handed off. I don't mind helping out, but it wasn't good timing.

The funeral, just very sad. Andy was my HS boyfriend's best friend. We spent a lot of time together back in the day and still ran into each other occasionally. He was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder in July and by September he was going through chemo and transplants. He only lived three months after diagnosis. How much more aggressive could it get, geez. Apparently 8 out of a million people are affected by this disorder... and he was one.

Really makes a person think. We can feel fine today, get sick tomorrow and be gone in a few weeks. Or, we could get hit by a bus on Thursday and never know what happened. There's no way to prep for any of it. I'm not afraid of dying because I know there are many things that I can not control. What I am afraid of is leaving those two wonderful girls to grow up without their mom that they desperately need. Scares the hell out of me.

Oh, happy thoughts, huh??
Tomorrow is another day.

All this just to make a pizza

So, the service guy came this morn to fix my oven. Something sparked and popped the other night and I figured it was the heating element. How much could that cost, right? He said it also shorted out the clock part that controls where you set to bake, etc. and the temp control. Fixing it: $422. Are you kidding me?? That on top of the $68 he got paid for the service call. I can get a brand new oven for that... and I told him so. "Well, ma'am, I'm not sure what you paid for this one..."

Whatever. Not his fault, but I was Td. The oven is THREE years old. Frickity, frackity.

Yeah. Tonight I have to go find a new one. I'd like to have an oven, because it's convenient and all. I'm not going to pay $500 for something that I don't trust anymore. I know people that have had theirs for years and years, guess I just got the lemon.

It's not an expense that I'm excited about for obvious reasons. Xmas is coming and life in general is costly these days. The thought of renting for a few years is more and more appealing each day.

Over the rainbow

Sometimes I have those days where everything just sucks (like yesterday) and then the next day things are cruising along just fine. I hate to say it's hormones steering me in one direction or another, but it gives me an out. Better than saying I'm an unreasonable bag that can't handle stress in her life, right?? But seriously... do men have these up and down days, or do they just coast along because nothing in the freakin world bothers them?

Anyway, today is good. I am swamped at work. I have a list of tasks that keep building and I'm not even sure where to start. Along with the website and database administration that I do (which heavily involves working with manufacturing, the warehouse and sales), I've also taken on the fixed assets system and some property tax management. It'll be great experience for the resume and a start into the finance industry for my business degree. I'll learn anything that people throw at me. I'm a sponge.

I've been running around all morn satisfying a handful of requests and as I sat down to eat lunch I thought, "It would be nice if this company was 110% stable". Besides the financial problems (which are huge), it's a great place to work and I love the people. It's all about watching my back right now. I wish we'd just get a huge contract so we could take off again.

Besides the fact that my 3-yr old oven blew up last night and I'm this close to choking the spit out of one of my online instructors that I never met... I'm having a good day.

Fall is upon us

Last week I was driving the scooter to work and today I had to turn on the heated seats of my Honda because the leather was freezing my bottom. Love autumn, it's my fav, but that gradual transition never seems to take place. I even had to get out the little stretchy gloves for the girls this morn. Brisk I say.

A few weeks ago I put those plastic covers on my garage gutters to keep the leaves out and boy, what timing. They're starting to come down already. Last year I was up on the ladder every week cleaning them out and enough is enough. Plan ahead and prevent. I think this weekend will be prime opportunity to finish putting away all summer yard crap, get the snow blower in for maintenance, trim the bushes and perennials down and batten down the hatches. Come on over to help if you have nothing going on!