Well, folks, I’m back. Again. It’s been a long couple of months with lots to process. I don’t really feel like going into the gory details of everything that’s been going on. I don’t really want to drain you that way.
On the baby front, things are great: most of the things I used to like, I like again; the nausea has been gone for about 8 weeks; and….I had my ultrasound on Tuesday.
I saw the evidence before the tech even had the chance to say, “Looks like you’re having another boy!”
I cried.
I cried in front of the ultrasound technician.
I cried in front of the OB Nurse.
I cried in front of my OB.
I cried when I called my mom to tell her.
I teared up twice at work when talking to co-workers about it.
I cried Wednesday morning.
This is not to say that my experience with Mini hasn’t been everything I could have asked for. He’s the best kid in the world. Hands down. But, I wanted a little girl, I’ll be honest. People like to give a neutral response when asked if they have a preference (FYI – they’re lying!). I never hid the fact that I wanted a girl.
Why? Because when Hubby is in the floor making vrrrrrrooooooom and/or explosion noises with Mini, it comes easily for him. When I’m playing with Mini, I’m thinking…. “What the heck am I supposed to do with THIS?”
Selfishly, I wanted a girl. I wanted a girl to put dresses on. And big bows on her head. To plays dolls with. Because I know what the heck I’m supposed to do with THAT.
I feel like there is a little girl that I’m supposed to have, and the fact that I’m not having her now (maybe never?), is really difficult. Hubby put it into words perfectly. He told me that I need to stop feeling guilty, that the sadness I feel over not having a girl is completely separate from this little boy that I AM having. And it’s true. But, I’m still sad that I feel guilty over feeling sad.
Unselfishly, I know it’s probably best that this is a boy. I know I’d go overboard with a girl and Mini’s perspective would be that I had a favorite. And, it’s not like this is the end of the road as far as kids are concerned. b but I’m not getting any younger and, let’s face it, just because we go for a third doesn’t mean it will be a girl then either.
Yes, I know how self absorbed this is. I know that there are people who no longer have children that were born to them, and people who can’t have children of their own. THIS momma is still getting used to the idea of another boy. I’m not the first person to ever cry over it. Nor will I be the last.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Is it really Christmas?
Busy times have equaled less than normal holiday cheer for little ole me. Anybody else having this problem?
Hubby just had his wisdom teeth out. It’s been a long three weeks since he first found out he needed this done. You would have thought he’d been told he was having open heart surgery. That walk into the dentist on Wednesday… sheesh. Like he was walking The Green Mile. Seems to be recovering quite nicely, though, and is taking it much better than I would have expected from him given his propensity for drama.
I found out on 12/11 that my official due date is June 27. This is perfect. I’ll squeeze the little booger out before the heat of the summer really kicks in. I was pregnant with Mini over summer 2006 and, like 95% of the homes in the NW, our house at the time did not have A/C. It was miserable. And considering our current house also is without A/C, the thought of NOT being pregnant in July and August is most appealing. Next big step – finding out the sex. Let’s all cross our fingers it’s a girl. Pray, do chants, fast, whatever you do…DO IT.
Finished up (sort of) some Christmas shopping today. By finished up, I mean that I bought all of the gifts I need to send back to Oklahoma. (Everything else can wait until the last minute, right?) I went a couple of places and didn’t have any luck, so I headed to my old stand-by: Ross. I got my nephew an Izod Windbreaker and a really awesome Nike shirt and my niece three shirts all for around $40. The windbreaker alone was originally $70! I rock the Christmas shopping.
What I don’t rock so much at? The details.
I thought I was sooooooo smart because I managed to bring a box from home to ship all my gifts in. After I finished up my shopping, I came back to the office to get my box. I put everything in the box, be-bopped over to the UPS Store, plopped down my $17 to get it there by the 23rd, came back to my desk….and discovered one of my nephew’s shirts and my niece’s birthday present (her birthday may or may not have been back in September) sitting in the floor.
I’m an idiot.
Hubby just had his wisdom teeth out. It’s been a long three weeks since he first found out he needed this done. You would have thought he’d been told he was having open heart surgery. That walk into the dentist on Wednesday… sheesh. Like he was walking The Green Mile. Seems to be recovering quite nicely, though, and is taking it much better than I would have expected from him given his propensity for drama.
I found out on 12/11 that my official due date is June 27. This is perfect. I’ll squeeze the little booger out before the heat of the summer really kicks in. I was pregnant with Mini over summer 2006 and, like 95% of the homes in the NW, our house at the time did not have A/C. It was miserable. And considering our current house also is without A/C, the thought of NOT being pregnant in July and August is most appealing. Next big step – finding out the sex. Let’s all cross our fingers it’s a girl. Pray, do chants, fast, whatever you do…DO IT.
Finished up (sort of) some Christmas shopping today. By finished up, I mean that I bought all of the gifts I need to send back to Oklahoma. (Everything else can wait until the last minute, right?) I went a couple of places and didn’t have any luck, so I headed to my old stand-by: Ross. I got my nephew an Izod Windbreaker and a really awesome Nike shirt and my niece three shirts all for around $40. The windbreaker alone was originally $70! I rock the Christmas shopping.
What I don’t rock so much at? The details.
I thought I was sooooooo smart because I managed to bring a box from home to ship all my gifts in. After I finished up my shopping, I came back to the office to get my box. I put everything in the box, be-bopped over to the UPS Store, plopped down my $17 to get it there by the 23rd, came back to my desk….and discovered one of my nephew’s shirts and my niece’s birthday present (her birthday may or may not have been back in September) sitting in the floor.
I’m an idiot.
Monday, November 30, 2009
I'm hungry.
Here are things that I currently love:
1. French Fries with Mayonnaise. (I might have mentioned this the other day)
2. Taco Bell – not the Fresco menu which I usually can’t get enough of. Nope, it’s all about the Steak Quesadilla and the Double Decker Taco. If I could get them to replace the beans on the DDT with cheese, I would be in heaven. Next time, I will ask.
3. Burger King, Burgerville, McD’s. Yum. Yummy, yum, yum, yum.
4. Chips and salsa and Mexican Food in general.
5. Hummus.
6. Red Robin Cheeseburgers.
7. Anything chocolatey.
8. Iced Tea. Lots of Iced Tea.
9. Regular Coke. (Whattheheck?)
10. Milk (Whattheheck?)
Here are things that I am not currently loving:
1. Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, any Diet sodas in general. The thought makes me gag.
2. Bananas. Typically a staple of my diet, I currently have to choke the suckers down.
3. Broccoli. The smell kills me.
4. Spearmint gum. The taste kills me.
5. Chicken breast. Gag.
6. Cold sandwiches on regular or wheat bread.
7. Sun Chips.
8. Tomato Swiss Bisque (formerly my favorite soup)
9. Hearing people (i.e. Hubby) belch.
10. Flintstone Vitamins
All of this equals one thing and one thing only.
Introducing my uterus, and forthcoming second child, to the world. You were warned.
1. French Fries with Mayonnaise. (I might have mentioned this the other day)
2. Taco Bell – not the Fresco menu which I usually can’t get enough of. Nope, it’s all about the Steak Quesadilla and the Double Decker Taco. If I could get them to replace the beans on the DDT with cheese, I would be in heaven. Next time, I will ask.
3. Burger King, Burgerville, McD’s. Yum. Yummy, yum, yum, yum.
4. Chips and salsa and Mexican Food in general.
5. Hummus.
6. Red Robin Cheeseburgers.
7. Anything chocolatey.
8. Iced Tea. Lots of Iced Tea.
9. Regular Coke. (Whattheheck?)
10. Milk (Whattheheck?)
Here are things that I am not currently loving:
1. Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, any Diet sodas in general. The thought makes me gag.
2. Bananas. Typically a staple of my diet, I currently have to choke the suckers down.
3. Broccoli. The smell kills me.
4. Spearmint gum. The taste kills me.
5. Chicken breast. Gag.
6. Cold sandwiches on regular or wheat bread.
7. Sun Chips.
8. Tomato Swiss Bisque (formerly my favorite soup)
9. Hearing people (i.e. Hubby) belch.
10. Flintstone Vitamins
All of this equals one thing and one thing only.
Introducing my uterus, and forthcoming second child, to the world. You were warned.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Oh, JHo
This morning when I heard the news about JLo’s big fall, I was so disappointed that I hadn’t watched the AMAs. Fortunately, I didn’t miss anything because they tried to dupe us West Coasters. Seriously, why edit it out? It’s not like it wasn’t going to go viral the instant that it happened.
I wouldn’t call myself a hater of JLo, but she is symbolic of much that is wrong with our world. She’s a mediocre actress (though I can admit to owning copies of both The Wedding Planner and Maid in Manhattan), mediocre dancer and even more mediocre singer, but is widely regarding as a “Triple Threat.” More like a Triple I-Could-Do-Just-As-Well-As-Her. And to add insult to injury, she’s to blame for the media and our culture in general for identifying celebrities by their first initial and the first syllable for their last name. I HATE THAT. Almost as much as I hate the use of “T” instead of t-shirt, “cardi” in place of cardigan, and “cami” instead of camisole.
That said, I was most excited to see the video of her busting it at the AMAs. I was really looking for a good laugh. Much to my dismay, I didn’t find it!!! I don’t want to give the chick too much credit - let’s be honest, her rear is so fluffy that she might just naturally bounce back up like that ANY time she falls. But that woman jumped right back up and went on with the show. I actually think she started performing better after the fall. She bounced back (pun intended) pretty well.
I tried to laugh and find joy in what happened. I watched minute 2:44 three times for crying out loud to try and get a cheap laugh, but it didn’t work. I hate to admit it, but I was mildly impressed. I may actually have to….gasp!.... LIKE her now.
I wouldn’t call myself a hater of JLo, but she is symbolic of much that is wrong with our world. She’s a mediocre actress (though I can admit to owning copies of both The Wedding Planner and Maid in Manhattan), mediocre dancer and even more mediocre singer, but is widely regarding as a “Triple Threat.” More like a Triple I-Could-Do-Just-As-Well-As-Her. And to add insult to injury, she’s to blame for the media and our culture in general for identifying celebrities by their first initial and the first syllable for their last name. I HATE THAT. Almost as much as I hate the use of “T” instead of t-shirt, “cardi” in place of cardigan, and “cami” instead of camisole.
That said, I was most excited to see the video of her busting it at the AMAs. I was really looking for a good laugh. Much to my dismay, I didn’t find it!!! I don’t want to give the chick too much credit - let’s be honest, her rear is so fluffy that she might just naturally bounce back up like that ANY time she falls. But that woman jumped right back up and went on with the show. I actually think she started performing better after the fall. She bounced back (pun intended) pretty well.
I tried to laugh and find joy in what happened. I watched minute 2:44 three times for crying out loud to try and get a cheap laugh, but it didn’t work. I hate to admit it, but I was mildly impressed. I may actually have to….gasp!.... LIKE her now.
Friday, November 20, 2009
That Which Does Not Kill Me...
I have been jonesing for French Fries all week, so today I finally gave in and went to the café in my building. I was contemplating how sad I would look if I asked the guy behind the counter if I could have some ranch dressing to go with it and decided I’d just settle for grabbing some ketchup packets on the way out. I mean, OBVIOUSLY, tomatoes are healthier on my french fries than ranch dressing. But, to my pleasant surprise, when I reached the condiment counter I found something far, far better than ranch. Mayonnaise.
Not Miracle Whip (gag!), not low fat, not “made with olive oil.” That stuff is all fine and well when it comes to making sandwiches. But if we’re talking fries, we gotta be talking Kraft REAL Mayo. And it’s at its peak if it can be squeezed, at room temperature, out of a little packet. Buttery, creamy, mayo-y goodness.
I refuse to be judged for loving heart attack sticks dipped in cholesterol, so we just won’t be going there, folks.
You know you’ve got it bad for something when you actually write about it. Those french fries were the highlight of my week.
Not Miracle Whip (gag!), not low fat, not “made with olive oil.” That stuff is all fine and well when it comes to making sandwiches. But if we’re talking fries, we gotta be talking Kraft REAL Mayo. And it’s at its peak if it can be squeezed, at room temperature, out of a little packet. Buttery, creamy, mayo-y goodness.
I refuse to be judged for loving heart attack sticks dipped in cholesterol, so we just won’t be going there, folks.
You know you’ve got it bad for something when you actually write about it. Those french fries were the highlight of my week.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Long lost me.
What? What is this? A new post? Why yes it is! I’ve been away from the blogging world for ages it seems. I’ve spent a few days casually catching up on the goings-on in the lives of people I don’t really know (well, some of you anyway!) and realized how much I’ve missed posting silly stories, rants and what-not myself. It’s a catharsis I have been lacking!
I don’t really know that I have anything to say today, so a list may be appropriate.
1. I am so into “V”. It’s not the same as the one from my childhood – the one that had Marc Singer in it (when I was a kid, I thought he was so cute. Him and Buck Rogers.) It just has a different feel, but oh-so-good regardless.
2. I have had all manner of work-neighbors (anyone remember Farty McFarterson?). I am now exposed to someone who uses the word “fabulous” to annoying excess. This is painful.
3. As much as I hate to admit it, I am excited about New Moon. Probably because of Taylor Lautner. He’s a cutie. Okay, he’s more than “cute”, but I just can’t bring myself to go there. It just feels wrong.
4. Something in Mini’s psychological make-up has predisposed him to rooting for the villain. He is fascinated by Zurg (and, I believe, roots for him over Buzz Lightyear) and has recently developed an affinity for Darth Vader. I’m not concerned. Yet.
5. I’m really, really super-duper ready for Christmas. I can’t wait to decorate!
6. Speaking of decorating, after living in our house for a year and 8 months, I have finally tackled the second upstairs bathroom. Let’s get one thing straight – wallpaper is rarely a good or successful idea. Keep this in mind for any possible future owners of your home, who like myself, will spend an entire weekend taking down that weird fleshy pink crap that got glued up.
7. I just had Macaroni Grill. I desperately need a nap. Connection? (probably not)
8. I just had Macaroni Grill. I have a stomach ache. Connection? (probably)
9. Will I ever learn NOT to go to Macaroni Grill? (probably not)
I think that is all for now…
I don’t really know that I have anything to say today, so a list may be appropriate.
1. I am so into “V”. It’s not the same as the one from my childhood – the one that had Marc Singer in it (when I was a kid, I thought he was so cute. Him and Buck Rogers.) It just has a different feel, but oh-so-good regardless.
2. I have had all manner of work-neighbors (anyone remember Farty McFarterson?). I am now exposed to someone who uses the word “fabulous” to annoying excess. This is painful.
3. As much as I hate to admit it, I am excited about New Moon. Probably because of Taylor Lautner. He’s a cutie. Okay, he’s more than “cute”, but I just can’t bring myself to go there. It just feels wrong.
4. Something in Mini’s psychological make-up has predisposed him to rooting for the villain. He is fascinated by Zurg (and, I believe, roots for him over Buzz Lightyear) and has recently developed an affinity for Darth Vader. I’m not concerned. Yet.
5. I’m really, really super-duper ready for Christmas. I can’t wait to decorate!
6. Speaking of decorating, after living in our house for a year and 8 months, I have finally tackled the second upstairs bathroom. Let’s get one thing straight – wallpaper is rarely a good or successful idea. Keep this in mind for any possible future owners of your home, who like myself, will spend an entire weekend taking down that weird fleshy pink crap that got glued up.
7. I just had Macaroni Grill. I desperately need a nap. Connection? (probably not)
8. I just had Macaroni Grill. I have a stomach ache. Connection? (probably)
9. Will I ever learn NOT to go to Macaroni Grill? (probably not)
I think that is all for now…
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Love is a Battlefield
....And marriage is the hostage negotiation meeting.
Hubby informed me the other evening that he plans to stop farting so much. He said he just doesn't want me to think he's a caveman anymore. Which is nice.
This morning I came to him with a counteroffer. He can keep the farting, if we (and by "we," I'm referring to him) can be more careful about the use of cuss words in front of the Mini. I had a dream last night that Mini and I were on a walk in our neighborhood and he kept saying, "That bitch! That bitch! That bitch!"
I don't want that to happen in real life, except with the F-bomb somehow in play.
Hubby informed me the other evening that he plans to stop farting so much. He said he just doesn't want me to think he's a caveman anymore. Which is nice.
This morning I came to him with a counteroffer. He can keep the farting, if we (and by "we," I'm referring to him) can be more careful about the use of cuss words in front of the Mini. I had a dream last night that Mini and I were on a walk in our neighborhood and he kept saying, "That bitch! That bitch! That bitch!"
I don't want that to happen in real life, except with the F-bomb somehow in play.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Rumors Are True.
I always kinda thought forgotten dates were just a joke. Proof, in this email chain between Hubby and I, that it's not.
From: Hubby
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:20 AM
To: Me
Subject: b/day and anniv
We should probably do one occasion due to babysitter sitch…..I want you to pick the restaurant….paragon, chart, acadia, etc
From: Me
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Oh, that's really sweet… Well, I say let's go out on our anniversary since that is a Friday. And since it's OUR anniversary, why don't we pick a place together? Chart House sounds good to me…
From: Hubby
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Good deal - what day is that?
From: Me
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:26 AM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Seriously?
I guess I should at least be grateful that he realizes my b-day and our anniversary are in the same month.
From: Hubby
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:20 AM
To: Me
Subject: b/day and anniv
We should probably do one occasion due to babysitter sitch…..I want you to pick the restaurant….paragon, chart, acadia, etc
From: Me
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Oh, that's really sweet… Well, I say let's go out on our anniversary since that is a Friday. And since it's OUR anniversary, why don't we pick a place together? Chart House sounds good to me…
From: Hubby
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Me
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Good deal - what day is that?
From: Me
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 11:26 AM
To: Hubby
Subject: RE: b/day and anniv
Seriously?
I guess I should at least be grateful that he realizes my b-day and our anniversary are in the same month.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Good for the Soul
This is a great story for fans of football...and fans of second chances and grace.
http://arkansasvarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=992976
Have a great weekend!
http://arkansasvarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=992976
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Good for a Laugh
Recently added to My Favorites:
DListed Celeb-bashing at its finest.
Texts From Last Night Some of them are pretty raunchy, and some of them are obviously fake. But it IS funny to read some of the things that people text.
Read em
Love em
DListed Celeb-bashing at its finest.
Texts From Last Night Some of them are pretty raunchy, and some of them are obviously fake. But it IS funny to read some of the things that people text.
Read em
Love em
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday's Math Lesson
Forgetting Password to Very Important Software Application
+
Using a Toilet Seat Cover Because TP Is Out and I Forgot To Check Before I Started Peeing
+
Being Forced To Listen to BLARING Irish Music, Which I Find More Irritating than Reggae, By Co-Worker In The Cube Next To Me Who Just Returned From Ireland
+
Shortage of Co-Workers Due To Illness and Vacations
+
Being On Hold To Have IT Reset Aforementioned Password
=
Really Crappy Day.
+
Using a Toilet Seat Cover Because TP Is Out and I Forgot To Check Before I Started Peeing
+
Being Forced To Listen to BLARING Irish Music, Which I Find More Irritating than Reggae, By Co-Worker In The Cube Next To Me Who Just Returned From Ireland
+
Shortage of Co-Workers Due To Illness and Vacations
+
Being On Hold To Have IT Reset Aforementioned Password
=
Really Crappy Day.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Is This What a Mid Life Crisis Feels Like?
You might recall how I’ve mentioned before that my celebrity BFF would be Keri Russell. That’s mostly because I l.o.v.e.d “Felicity”. Felicity started when I was in college so I could really identify with her character. Except for the fact that I didn’t follow some guy across the country over a crush, and there wasn’t a guy at my university even half as hot as Ben Covington. But anyhoo, that show was my fave. And very recently, I pulled out my DVDs of the first season. See, hubby has been on an “Alias on DVD” kick, and since Jennifer Garner was on Felicity a couple of times and Alias was done by the creator of Felicity, JJ Abrams, it got me in the mood to watch a little college angst.
So there I am, hanging out in bed and watching an episode where her parents come to NY to convince her to go back home and go to Stanford instead. And Felicity and her mom are having a conversation about the mom having trouble accepting Felicity’s decision. And she says, “I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was very young…”
The scene continued, but all I could hear was….
“I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was 20 when I got pregnant with you.”
My feeble 33-soon-to-be-34-year old mind started doing the math. If Felicity’s mom was 20 when she got pregnant, and Felicity is 18 years old, then that makes her mom 38…only four years older than me. WTH?!?!?!?! This can’t be!!! Nonononono… I started silently arguing with that vengeful bitch called Time – FELICITY is my contemporary, not her freaking MOM. I identify with FELICITY’S life. This can’t be!! It just can’t!
But, TIME responded to let me know that many people my age have children closing in on their college years and that, yes, if Felicity were a current show I would have more in common with her damn mom. And that while in my mind I remain a hip, cool gal in her early 20s, unfortunately, I am not.
You know what sucks about your 30s? You start realizing that you're getting older every single day and farther from your youth.... and yet you’re still 30 years from retirement.
Not fair.
Not fair at all.
So there I am, hanging out in bed and watching an episode where her parents come to NY to convince her to go back home and go to Stanford instead. And Felicity and her mom are having a conversation about the mom having trouble accepting Felicity’s decision. And she says, “I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was very young…”
The scene continued, but all I could hear was….
“I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was 20 when I got pregnant with you, I was 20 when I got pregnant with you.”
My feeble 33-soon-to-be-34-year old mind started doing the math. If Felicity’s mom was 20 when she got pregnant, and Felicity is 18 years old, then that makes her mom 38…only four years older than me. WTH?!?!?!?! This can’t be!!! Nonononono… I started silently arguing with that vengeful bitch called Time – FELICITY is my contemporary, not her freaking MOM. I identify with FELICITY’S life. This can’t be!! It just can’t!
But, TIME responded to let me know that many people my age have children closing in on their college years and that, yes, if Felicity were a current show I would have more in common with her damn mom. And that while in my mind I remain a hip, cool gal in her early 20s, unfortunately, I am not.
You know what sucks about your 30s? You start realizing that you're getting older every single day and farther from your youth.... and yet you’re still 30 years from retirement.
Not fair.
Not fair at all.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Right On!!
Okay, even the biggest Obama-hater has to agree with his opinion on THIS:
Obama on the important stuff
Good stuff.
Obama on the important stuff
Good stuff.
Mahalo
Okay, enough with the Hawaiian words already, right? As much as I would like to believe that is my language and culture, it is not.
But, I realized….how could I have forgotten to tell you about the H1N1 they put on the plane in the row in front of us, only to make her get OFF the plane after letting her sit there – WITH US – for a half an hour? Yup, it happened. Okay, so I don’t know she had Pork Flu, but I’ve honestly never seen someone shake so badly that wasn’t detoxing. Hubby’s response was typically understated. When he realized what was going on in the seat in front of him, he shoved his nose down his shirt and tried – unsuccessfully – to get our 3 yr old to do the same.
Pictures will be forthcoming (of our vacay, not of my boys with their shirts over their faces), although I’m hesitant to actually post my picture on here. I’ve posted pictures of the Mini before for a limited time, so I might to the same with pics of my mug.
Can I tell you a funny story? I went out to our office in Hillsboro to work this morning, just as I did two weeks ago. And two weeks ago, I saw the same thing that I saw today as I was walking down the aisle where I would be working for the morning.
I passed by a gal’s cube and on the shelves and on both sides of her computer was a collection. No, not beanie babies or unicorns (that’s a favorite part, by the way, of Dodgeball.. “I have a thing for unicorns.”). No, she had water bottles. Lots of empty freaking water bottles. I swear, there are probably fifty. Weird, right?
I asked my co-worker that I was there to work with for the morning… “Seriously, what is up with the water bottles?”
She didn’t have a clue either.
Which leads me to my next question. Have any of you watched Hoarders yet on A&E? It’s totally my new reality obsession… Which is ironic to say, given the obsessive nature of hoarding.
But, I realized….how could I have forgotten to tell you about the H1N1 they put on the plane in the row in front of us, only to make her get OFF the plane after letting her sit there – WITH US – for a half an hour? Yup, it happened. Okay, so I don’t know she had Pork Flu, but I’ve honestly never seen someone shake so badly that wasn’t detoxing. Hubby’s response was typically understated. When he realized what was going on in the seat in front of him, he shoved his nose down his shirt and tried – unsuccessfully – to get our 3 yr old to do the same.
Pictures will be forthcoming (of our vacay, not of my boys with their shirts over their faces), although I’m hesitant to actually post my picture on here. I’ve posted pictures of the Mini before for a limited time, so I might to the same with pics of my mug.
Can I tell you a funny story? I went out to our office in Hillsboro to work this morning, just as I did two weeks ago. And two weeks ago, I saw the same thing that I saw today as I was walking down the aisle where I would be working for the morning.
I passed by a gal’s cube and on the shelves and on both sides of her computer was a collection. No, not beanie babies or unicorns (that’s a favorite part, by the way, of Dodgeball.. “I have a thing for unicorns.”). No, she had water bottles. Lots of empty freaking water bottles. I swear, there are probably fifty. Weird, right?
I asked my co-worker that I was there to work with for the morning… “Seriously, what is up with the water bottles?”
She didn’t have a clue either.
Which leads me to my next question. Have any of you watched Hoarders yet on A&E? It’s totally my new reality obsession… Which is ironic to say, given the obsessive nature of hoarding.
Monday, September 14, 2009
ALOHA
First day being back at work after Maui is… disturbing. It is so hard coming back to work after a great trip.
To update on my last post, I emailed my friend at the last minute and made up an excuse. She hasn’t responded, so I’m worried I may have hurt her feelings, which I didn’t intend. I mean, I really would like to see her again, but it just couldn’t be squeezed into the trip… Oh well. As msprimadonna said about her suggestion to wait until the last minute to respond (which I did)… “I'm non-confrontational and indirect like that.” To which I would like to reply: “Ditto.”
Anyhoo, not to brag or anything, but Maui was fantastic! I brought back a cute shirt, some awesome memories… and about 5 pounds. But who cares? I was on vacay, eating some DEElish food (shrimp and crab melt, anyone?) and it’s already coming right back off.
It started off rocky with a cab driver who was p’d o (remember, po’d is incorrect usage because nobody gets piss offed) that he wasn’t get a $100 fare to Kaanapali and instead was stuck taking us only about four miles to Enterprise – and went so far as to lecture us and start pounding the steering wheel. Yes, he was hitting the steering wheel he was so mad. So I finally just yelled at him and said, “You can just take us back to the airport, I’m sure we’ll find someone happy to take us where we want to go.” Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t an option, since that basically amounts to refusing a fare which is something they can lose their license over. And THEN… we got to Enterprise where they did just what I expected… the ole bait and switch. “So, you’ve reserved a car for an amazing rate of $136? Too bad, that’s no longer available and our system shows that you’ll actually be paying $185.” So, guess who had to pitch a fit? By the end of the travel day, I was pretty good at it. Shortly after I said, “Well, we’ll just call so-and-so who works for Enterprise and MADE the reservation for us,” wouldn’t you know it? Something miraculously showed up in the system and suddenly it was only going to cost $105! Seriously, I would have been fine if they’d just honored the $136.
Other than the transportation portion, our trip was fantastic. Tips for making Maui easier on the pocketbook:
Car Rental: Find the nearest rental location to the airport without actually being an airport location. You’ll find cheaper rates. Granted, you’ll have to tick off the angry Eastern European, but it really is worth it.
Lodging: Rent a condo and wait until about a month before you go to reserve it. I found plenty of availabilities less than 4 weeks before our trip, and scored a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo on the Kaanapali Golf Course with views of the ocean and a 10 minute walk from Whaler’s Village and the beach for $150 a night.
Food: If you have to eat out, go to either Leilani’s or Hula Grill (both on the ocean with great views of the sunset)…but don’t eat in the dining room with the higher prices – eat in the bar – they have full menus there was well with great food prices (my shrimp and crab melt with fries was only $11). Biggest money saver, if you have a condo with a kitchen…take your Safeway card (or buy a $30 Costco membership) and fix your food yourself. We had enough food for four full days - with food leftover that we left behind - for around $18 a person.
Now that life seems to be settling itself down a bit, I hope to get back into blogging a little bit more. And reading what you all have been up to as well!
To update on my last post, I emailed my friend at the last minute and made up an excuse. She hasn’t responded, so I’m worried I may have hurt her feelings, which I didn’t intend. I mean, I really would like to see her again, but it just couldn’t be squeezed into the trip… Oh well. As msprimadonna said about her suggestion to wait until the last minute to respond (which I did)… “I'm non-confrontational and indirect like that.” To which I would like to reply: “Ditto.”
Anyhoo, not to brag or anything, but Maui was fantastic! I brought back a cute shirt, some awesome memories… and about 5 pounds. But who cares? I was on vacay, eating some DEElish food (shrimp and crab melt, anyone?) and it’s already coming right back off.
It started off rocky with a cab driver who was p’d o (remember, po’d is incorrect usage because nobody gets piss offed) that he wasn’t get a $100 fare to Kaanapali and instead was stuck taking us only about four miles to Enterprise – and went so far as to lecture us and start pounding the steering wheel. Yes, he was hitting the steering wheel he was so mad. So I finally just yelled at him and said, “You can just take us back to the airport, I’m sure we’ll find someone happy to take us where we want to go.” Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t an option, since that basically amounts to refusing a fare which is something they can lose their license over. And THEN… we got to Enterprise where they did just what I expected… the ole bait and switch. “So, you’ve reserved a car for an amazing rate of $136? Too bad, that’s no longer available and our system shows that you’ll actually be paying $185.” So, guess who had to pitch a fit? By the end of the travel day, I was pretty good at it. Shortly after I said, “Well, we’ll just call so-and-so who works for Enterprise and MADE the reservation for us,” wouldn’t you know it? Something miraculously showed up in the system and suddenly it was only going to cost $105! Seriously, I would have been fine if they’d just honored the $136.
Other than the transportation portion, our trip was fantastic. Tips for making Maui easier on the pocketbook:
Car Rental: Find the nearest rental location to the airport without actually being an airport location. You’ll find cheaper rates. Granted, you’ll have to tick off the angry Eastern European, but it really is worth it.
Lodging: Rent a condo and wait until about a month before you go to reserve it. I found plenty of availabilities less than 4 weeks before our trip, and scored a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo on the Kaanapali Golf Course with views of the ocean and a 10 minute walk from Whaler’s Village and the beach for $150 a night.
Food: If you have to eat out, go to either Leilani’s or Hula Grill (both on the ocean with great views of the sunset)…but don’t eat in the dining room with the higher prices – eat in the bar – they have full menus there was well with great food prices (my shrimp and crab melt with fries was only $11). Biggest money saver, if you have a condo with a kitchen…take your Safeway card (or buy a $30 Costco membership) and fix your food yourself. We had enough food for four full days - with food leftover that we left behind - for around $18 a person.
Now that life seems to be settling itself down a bit, I hope to get back into blogging a little bit more. And reading what you all have been up to as well!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Hello Again...
Yeah, yeah, it’s been a long time. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, you must all be just SALIVATING over the fact that I’ve finally posted again. I have no excuses for being gone so long. I simply just didn’t feel like writing on here, I guess. But all that has changed because I have an amusing story to tell….
Are you a Facebook user? Me, too. But only very casually. If I went on there and started updating about every single thing I do people would be S.H.O.C.K.E.D. Anyway, that’s not the point. Over the months, I’ve noticed that there is a phenomenon of sorts on FB. I call it the Facebook False Sense of Familiarity.
I would say that the vast majority of my friends on Facebook are people from high school and a large number of those people I haven’t spoken to in probably 15 years (did I just date myself?). But, for some reason, people seem to pick up right where you left off, like it’s the day after high school graduation and you know each other as well as you did then. Does that make any sense? I mean, I guess it’s not weird since for the most part, I spent 10-12 years with these people day in and day out. But still…… You’ll understand what I’m getting at when I get to meat of the story.
So… my newest friend on Facebook is a girl I’ve known since kindergarten. We went all through elementary and junior high school and then after our freshman year of high school, she was gone. She didn’t hang out with my group of friends, so she was one of those people that one day, half way through my senior year of high school, I realized… “Oh, wait, where’s T at?” Anyhoo, I never knew where she’d gone and never bothered to ask any of her friends, so it was sort of a mystery.
And then comes Facebook. I found T on there through mutual friends, so we started emailing and catching up. Turns out, she moved to Hawaii after our freshman year and has been there ever since. Then she said a very generic, “You should come here for vacation some time!”
To which I replied that we are, in fact, going to Maui this week for 5 days.
To which SHE replied: “Wait Wait, WHAT, you will be maui when, I can come see you K, its only a short 30min flt from Oahu, And Randy and I need a break, Give me your number and let me know where you will be staying I can meet you there. Might be a long shot I just realized it was Labor day weekend but get back to me fast on this and I will be in maui to see you.”
I think it’s really sweet and all, but…. Seriously, I haven’t seen this chick in, like EIGHTEEN YEARS. And, we’re only going to be there for what basically amounts to a long weekend… I’m not sure that I want to spend that time getting reacquainted with an old friend (and it’s not like we were even that CLOSE) and meeting her significant other. Let’s be honest…people change a LOT over the years and I just can’t commit to spending that much time with someone that I don’t even know if I’ll want to be around. How mean does that sound?!?! I mean, I’d love to meet up with her maybe the next time we come for a longer trip, but just not this time.
Fortunately, my Facebook email history is such that I usually take several days to respond. So, it won’t seem like a ploy if I don’t email her back until Wednesday or Thursday. That’ll give me time to think of a good excuse.
Are you a Facebook user? Me, too. But only very casually. If I went on there and started updating about every single thing I do people would be S.H.O.C.K.E.D. Anyway, that’s not the point. Over the months, I’ve noticed that there is a phenomenon of sorts on FB. I call it the Facebook False Sense of Familiarity.
I would say that the vast majority of my friends on Facebook are people from high school and a large number of those people I haven’t spoken to in probably 15 years (did I just date myself?). But, for some reason, people seem to pick up right where you left off, like it’s the day after high school graduation and you know each other as well as you did then. Does that make any sense? I mean, I guess it’s not weird since for the most part, I spent 10-12 years with these people day in and day out. But still…… You’ll understand what I’m getting at when I get to meat of the story.
So… my newest friend on Facebook is a girl I’ve known since kindergarten. We went all through elementary and junior high school and then after our freshman year of high school, she was gone. She didn’t hang out with my group of friends, so she was one of those people that one day, half way through my senior year of high school, I realized… “Oh, wait, where’s T at?” Anyhoo, I never knew where she’d gone and never bothered to ask any of her friends, so it was sort of a mystery.
And then comes Facebook. I found T on there through mutual friends, so we started emailing and catching up. Turns out, she moved to Hawaii after our freshman year and has been there ever since. Then she said a very generic, “You should come here for vacation some time!”
To which I replied that we are, in fact, going to Maui this week for 5 days.
To which SHE replied: “Wait Wait, WHAT, you will be maui when, I can come see you K, its only a short 30min flt from Oahu, And Randy and I need a break, Give me your number and let me know where you will be staying I can meet you there. Might be a long shot I just realized it was Labor day weekend but get back to me fast on this and I will be in maui to see you.”
I think it’s really sweet and all, but…. Seriously, I haven’t seen this chick in, like EIGHTEEN YEARS. And, we’re only going to be there for what basically amounts to a long weekend… I’m not sure that I want to spend that time getting reacquainted with an old friend (and it’s not like we were even that CLOSE) and meeting her significant other. Let’s be honest…people change a LOT over the years and I just can’t commit to spending that much time with someone that I don’t even know if I’ll want to be around. How mean does that sound?!?! I mean, I’d love to meet up with her maybe the next time we come for a longer trip, but just not this time.
Fortunately, my Facebook email history is such that I usually take several days to respond. So, it won’t seem like a ploy if I don’t email her back until Wednesday or Thursday. That’ll give me time to think of a good excuse.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Collections Agent
When our tenants opted to move out (supposedly back to California, but since we've seen them several times since then I doubt it), we decided we'd go with a property management company. It's just easier right?
The new tenants moved in this past weekend, and the gal at the PM Co who does the money transfers was out of the country until yesterday, when she was suppose to call me to get routing info. Guess what? She didn't.
So, I called and left a message. I emailed.
I got a response.
I had a couple of more questions, so I sent a couple of additional emails.
FOUR AND A HALF HOURS AGO.
I've called. Twice.
Trust me, the irony isn't lost on me that it was easier to get in touch with our check-floating, wrong check sending, excuse-having, flea infested tenants than it is to get in touch with our property manager.
Nice.
The new tenants moved in this past weekend, and the gal at the PM Co who does the money transfers was out of the country until yesterday, when she was suppose to call me to get routing info. Guess what? She didn't.
So, I called and left a message. I emailed.
I got a response.
I had a couple of more questions, so I sent a couple of additional emails.
FOUR AND A HALF HOURS AGO.
I've called. Twice.
Trust me, the irony isn't lost on me that it was easier to get in touch with our check-floating, wrong check sending, excuse-having, flea infested tenants than it is to get in touch with our property manager.
Nice.
Here I Go Again
I'm not looking to turn this into the Big Brother Blog (although if CBS would like to slide some $$ my way for the advertising, I'd be okay with writing about Big Brother all the time), but MAN, this shit is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
I should never have made fun of Chiclets.
She's actually the only one in the house smart enough to have figured out Ronnie's Game.
And don't even get me started on Ronnie.
Since the theme this year is all about High School, I feel comfortable endorsing CBS's pick for the Brains Clique. They could not have picked anyone better. He's that nerd in high school who would go along with the jocks because he thought it would make them like him. And they only pretended to like him so he could "share" term papers with them. Trust me, dude, your "friendship" with the Athlete Clique in the Big Brother House is not validation that you are now cool and have shed your high school geekiness. IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME NOW AS IT WAS THEN. There is no way those guys would befriend or ever not make fun of some guy that is obsessed with Star Wars (not in the funny way that Howie Gordon from BB6 was) and owns the Legally Blonde: The Musical Soundtrack. No, no, no, no. It is against nature.
And while we're on the subject - any guy that gets that excited over that CD, a bubble stick (WTH?) and has a cat he calls My Molly Kitty.... I mean, really. You're not fooling anyone with that sham of a marriage you're in. Poor woman. I wonder if she knows. But, hell, she married you Stars Wars Obsession and all. It must be love.
For her, at least.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Vacation Depression
We started parking in a new garage on July 1. It’s awesome because it’s about $30 cheaper each month than our other garage. But, there’s one serious drawback that I’m not sure I’ll be able to get around. No, not the small spaces. And not the underground (though well-lit) horror movie creepiness. Uh-uh.
It’s the fact that it’s a hotel garage. Each and every day, going to and coming from work, I have to walk through the hotel lobby.
Seeing people who are presumably on vacation day in and day out is taking a serious toll on my employment mental health and, frankly, I’m not certain it’s worth $30 a month.
I’m almost 34.
I can retire now, right?
It’s the fact that it’s a hotel garage. Each and every day, going to and coming from work, I have to walk through the hotel lobby.
Seeing people who are presumably on vacation day in and day out is taking a serious toll on my employment mental health and, frankly, I’m not certain it’s worth $30 a month.
I’m almost 34.
I can retire now, right?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Yuck.
Remember this???
I honestly didn't think it could get any better than a litter box full of cat poo, but it did.
We've got new tenants moving in this weekend and coming by to check it all out today. Now, mind you, these people are moving from AZ and are renting the house sight unseen - save for some pictures on the internet. We want their first impression to be great!
So, we went by last night to do a few last minute things, not the least of which was fill in holes in the walls and touch up the paint. (Nothing fist-sized, just your typical picture holes). So, when we got there, Hubby spent a few minutes alone in the house. When we first walked in the door, I thought I'd heard a noise. Since squatting is not unheard of these days, Hubby took the shovel inside and inspected the place before Mini and I went in.
Hubby headed downstairs to the finished basement, the only carpeted area of the house. Mini and I followed briefly and then went back upstairs. The supplies were brought upstairs to begin the patching and painting and I settled Mini in with his toys. About four pullings of nails/screws into the process, Hubby says..."What are all these little bugs one me?!?!" I immediately thought... Termites? Carpenter Ants?
I went over to take a look.... And his feet and ankles were C.O.V.E.R.E.D. with fleas. I've seen my share of fleas. I've been in houses with flea problems where you leave with, like, 20 bites. But this was an in-freaking-festation. I was covered and Mini was getting covered. We all ran outside and I stripped Mini down to his skivs to make sure they were all off of him. I had the creepy-crawlies for the next 45 minutes.
I really hope those Raid Bombs work. Otherwise, we might be on the hunt for new tenants.
I'm not kidding when I say those last people were just filthy.
I honestly didn't think it could get any better than a litter box full of cat poo, but it did.
We've got new tenants moving in this weekend and coming by to check it all out today. Now, mind you, these people are moving from AZ and are renting the house sight unseen - save for some pictures on the internet. We want their first impression to be great!
So, we went by last night to do a few last minute things, not the least of which was fill in holes in the walls and touch up the paint. (Nothing fist-sized, just your typical picture holes). So, when we got there, Hubby spent a few minutes alone in the house. When we first walked in the door, I thought I'd heard a noise. Since squatting is not unheard of these days, Hubby took the shovel inside and inspected the place before Mini and I went in.
Hubby headed downstairs to the finished basement, the only carpeted area of the house. Mini and I followed briefly and then went back upstairs. The supplies were brought upstairs to begin the patching and painting and I settled Mini in with his toys. About four pullings of nails/screws into the process, Hubby says..."What are all these little bugs one me?!?!" I immediately thought... Termites? Carpenter Ants?
I went over to take a look.... And his feet and ankles were C.O.V.E.R.E.D. with fleas. I've seen my share of fleas. I've been in houses with flea problems where you leave with, like, 20 bites. But this was an in-freaking-festation. I was covered and Mini was getting covered. We all ran outside and I stripped Mini down to his skivs to make sure they were all off of him. I had the creepy-crawlies for the next 45 minutes.
I really hope those Raid Bombs work. Otherwise, we might be on the hunt for new tenants.
I'm not kidding when I say those last people were just filthy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
