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Thursday, December 2, 2010

I've had it!

Or I should say, I think my phone has had it.

Stupid phone.

I had a clamshell-type for more than 3 years and put up with its battery cover falling off on a regular basis. It worked fine. I could text with one hand, had speed dials set up for easy-to-remember numbers, had certain ring tones for specific people, different ring tones for people I didn't necessarily want to interrupt a good read to talk to, an excellent ring tone for my family, and probably the best feature - ring + vibrate together!!!

I sacrificed it all for a Blackberry.

The initial purchase was simple, it arrived by mail, I activated it, and got a blue screen of death. For 2 days, roughly 6 phone calls.

I could answer & talk for a few seconds & then zippo. Zilch. Nada.

And it was promptly replaced (with another refurb) by my ever so helpful carrier. Whew! Or at least a temporary reprieve.

That was nearly 18 months ago and all is not well in the Blackberry department. The phone 'hangs' when the phone rings. I'll answer it, and can hear nothing, but the caller can hear me, yet the screen never indicates its been answered! Or I'll go to a website to read someone's blog and have it 'hang' while reading a script on the page. Or it 'hangs' when I open an email. Or read a tweet. Or delete a phone record. And when I say it 'hangs', I mean it gets the nice little rotating hourglass...for seconds, minutes, it could be HOURS at a time! But if I'm not LOOKING at the phone, or it's gone to its 'inactive' screen I have no idea that it's hanging on the hourglass...draining my battery...nixing my ability to receive any email...any phone calls from my precious Chicklets...any texts from my oh-so-romantic Ironman...

And did I mention that I've gone from one 'hard reset' per day, to 3 per day, to 3 before noon!

I've been counting down the months since...um...June? I need this phone to last until Dec 8. Then I can upgrade without commitment.

Help me, people!

I need recommendations on AT&T compatible mobile devices. iPhone, droid, blackberry, tell me what you like. What you hate. Give me the latest & greatest perks & peeves.

I need email access...and text...and phone...and I might perish without Twitter & Facebook, so take those into consideration too, kay? And did I mention I have a budget? The cheaper the better.

Thanks.



Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Hi darlin, there's nothing wrong, but I need to know...

where do we keep the vacuum cleaner?

How did I know not to believe him?

The day started out cold and snowy.  I was lucky that Ironman was at home with the girls.  Twins being hyperactive at home on a snowy day is one thing.  Twins being hyperactive at home with Daddy is a totally different animal.

So Ironman calls me at work and asks me where we keep the vacuum cleaner.  Yes, everyone, I did roll my eyes.  He couldn't see me!

me:  It's in the hall closet.

Sapper:  Which one?

me:  Not the front hall closet, not the glass pantry, the back hall closet.  By the garage door.  Across from the laundry room.  (And no, our house isn't that big, we just have a plethora of doors in the hallway on the first floor.  Eight doorways, but only five doors.  And one of those doors is to the bathroom.  Anyway, I digress.)

Ironman:  OK, thanks.

me:  Wait, why do you need the vacuum cleaner?

Ironman:  No reason, thanks!  ::click::

Hmmm, made me wonder.

You really want to know what happened, don't you?

Well, first of all, I should start out by saying that the reason Ironman stayed home was to work on our non-functioning toilet.  It seems that minutes before we were to leave for a Superbowl Party, I got up from the potty to see that there was water on the floor in front of the base.  Yes, I can be a little rushed in my pre-party prepping, but I didn't miss the toilet completely I promise!  I reached back behind the commode and turned off the valve and called to Ironman about the issue.  He checked to see that I had done the right thing (I had) and said to ignore it 'til we got home.

So we did.

Several days later, thanks to my ultra-savvy husband, we suspected that the flange was being held down by only ONE BOLT.  And that the flange had absolutely ZERO connection with any studs under the toilet.

Yep, yet another mystery found under our house.

Fast forward to the snowy day at hand.  Ironman stayed home and made eggs for the Chicklets for their breakfast.  Apparently he thought Dixie-the-wonder-pup (DTWP), would enjoy licking out the eggshells.  She did!  And then she crushed them in her jaws leaving eggshells all over the floor.  So he attempted to vacuum up the shards of shell using the handheld vacuum (which was of course clogged with debris) and the shards scattered throughout the dining area of our not-so-large home!

No reason to panic, just call to find out where we keep the vacuum before wifey-pooh gets home, right?

Yeah.  That worked.  We've lived in this house three years, but he doesn't know where we keep the vacuum cleaner...

Anyway, after he finished that interesting little project, he donned his 'going to work under the house' gear and smashed himself down into the crawlspace, together with a twin and DTWP.  He found that he was correct in his assessment of the plumbing problem.  The flange is attached by only one bolt, and there are no studs located near the commode.  Huh.  The toilet never should have been installed where it was installed.  ::insert eyeroll::  Thank you oh-so-excellent-builders!

As he was coming back up out of the crawlspace, he realized he had the opportunity to get the flashlight he left under the house about six months previous.  Wahoo - another valid reason to be under the house!  He returned to the scene of that plumbing experience, found his errant flashlight, and started to come back up to daylight.  At this point, he realized he didn't have DTWP.  He called to her, but she didn't come back from hunting critters.  He called again and heard nothing.  He had Yell call to her and Yell got a whimper.

Hmmm.

He sent Yell in the direction of DTWP's voice and she was found.  Over the sill of our house, down in a cistern!  Yell got her hands behind the dog's front legs, gave a little heave, and DTWP bounded up, over Yell's back on her way to freedom.  Hooray for the scrawny twin!  Bet you think the story ends here.

Nope.

At this point in the day this is what I know personally:  Ironman has been at home with the girls.  He's asked the whereabouts of the vacuum cleaner.  But that's all the information I have.  It gets better.  I came home to find a relatively cleared driveway.

Doesn't it look nice?  Snow had been pushed out of the way, nice soft white, fluffy snow...
Yep, Sapper did a great...job...with the basketball net?

Huh.  Looks like the snowblower and the basketball net had a little fight.
And apparently...the snowblower won.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

This is what happens when you tell your kids you have a road trip in the morning

You come downstairs to find a treat bag on the stove next to your purse.
And not just any old treat bag.   
A treat put in a 'special' bag from a certain store that a certain chicklet LOVES.


When you recover from your shock, you look a little closer at the tag on the treat bag.


And then you flip it over to find...


Awwwwwwww.

Isn't she sweet?


The kid has some spelling issues.  But she's assured herself of 1st place in your head (and in your heart) for the day.


At least, that's what happened at my house.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Public Television (or what not to watch when you may have phobias)

I should preface this little confession by admitting I have a few fears. I'm not sure when they developed.

I remember being in a swimming pool at a lesson when I was a kid. We were doing our normal routine, heading toward the deep end, doing breast stroke, when all of the sudden I remember inhaling water and feeling like I was being sucked toward the drain. I was close to the edge, grabbed the side of the pool, pulled myself over, coughed out half a lung of water, thought to myself that I was completely *nuts* and continued the lesson.

Sometime after Ironman and I got married, we went camping in Kentucky. We were roughing it. We packed our stuff in, packed our stuff out. Went hiking all over the valley. It was gorgeous. But we went over part of a 'natural bridge' and I could feel myself being pulled toward both sides of the bridge. A realllllly incredibly high natural bridge. I couldn't stop the sensation of being pulled toward the edge and I was terrified of falling off. I sat down. Ironman thought I was being ridiculous, but it was this unearthly sensation of my body toppling toward the edge, the side of this really high bridge, and I was absolutely going to fall off no matter how hard I tried to stand up straight.

Fast forward to being at the mall in the past three years. The mall downtown has 3 (or more?) levels, with walkways along the sides, the 'inside' of the walkways being open to the floors below. I'm really not sure how many levels there are or what there is to see, because the walkways have railings with clear glass. If I get too close to the railing I have the sensation of being 'pulled' over the edge of the rail. If my kids get too close to the rail, I feel almost desperate to get them away from the rail, but I can't get to them to keep them away because I'll be pulled over myself! It's one of the worst feelings in the world. I want to 'save' my kids, but I can't get close enough to them to keep them safe. I feel - just - completely paralyzed. It's awful.

The same thing happened when we were out on a boat dock while we were camping. The girls would get close to the edge, trying to look for frogs, and I couldn't grab them to keep them away from the sides. I really wanted to keep them from the edge, and apparently we were only over water about 4 or 5 feet deep, but I couldn't get close enough to the chix to keep them from being pulled into the water! Nothing happened to them, and they were never in danger, but geez, I. couldn't. help. them.

Anyway, ahem, back to watching the wrong tv show(s).

Trapped in an Elevator aired on November 2nd. It was very interesting. It contained information about the invention of the elevator and how it's affected the economy, commerce, etc. It makes me proud to know that someone from Indiana invented it! Did you realize that the least expensive offices/apartments were on the upper floors because people had to use the stairs? I guess I had assumed the most expensive were always on the top floors. Something to ponder.

Anyway, this guy got stuck in an elevator for 41 hours. Forty-one. Yeeks. Failure on the part of security not to notice the guy urinating down the shaft to get their attention. Failure of building maintenance. Failure of elevator inspection. Failures galore.

And since I saw that show? I've had not one, not two, but THREE notable elevator incidents. And today is the ninth. THREE elevator incidents in a week's time.

#1 - got in the elevator with my cart-o-crap to go up to the floor of the parking garage where I'd left my car. Elevator stops at floor #2. I need floor #3. I wait, the door closes, we start to go up again, and then WHAM! the elevator drops (not glides) down to floor #1. The doors open, my knees are shaking, I pull my cart-o-crap out the doors and shakily walk up to the third floor, get in the car, and try to stop trembling. Jeez-o-Pete, freaking SCARY! I was so freaked out I couldn't tell if the parking garage itself was shaking, if it was my car, if it was my legs, or what. Yeeks!

#2 - pressed the elevator button to go down to the basement. I work on the 6th floor. The door next to me opens without a sound, no light indicating up or down, but I assumed it was going down to the basement so I got in. Huh. It seems I was wrong. The door closed, the elevator went up, up, up to 11...and started dropping again...never stopping...until it got to the basement. Very smooth ride. But not how I was expecting to get to my destination!

#3 - this one, at least, is laughable. It's directly related to something that happened yesterday at home, but I'll leave that story for later. Maybe. It's pretty gross. Anyway, today I got to work, and booked it through the parking garage gerbil tubes to the basement elevators. I stopped to wait with the hordes to go up to 6. And this woman waiting/chatting with an assumed co-worker walked toward the elevator when the door opened. Something was hanging from her shoe. Oh. my. gosh. Something was hanging from her shoe. No kidding. I checked, rechecked, did a triple-take. A feminine hygiene product, stuck, apparently to the bottom of her foot, hanging out of her clog.

Ewwwwwwwwww

So...I'm now taking suggestions on alternative routes to and from the 6th floor.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Projects

I cannot believe it. I have a project due on Monday, and I only have a little left to do, thank goodness, but I am sooo stuck! grrrr. I should probably get back to work...

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Church Shoes

Sometimes, when you're young, you feel like dressing up for church.



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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Quiet, Normal, Nice



Outside my window...it’s hot, and dark, and sticky. Hope it rains soon.

The time is..10:20pm and way past my bedtime.

Today I feel...exhausted. Was up til 2:30am working on paperwork for the Chix swim club. Ugh.

I am thinking...about how much this vicodin is NOT working on my back pain.  And about a swimmer's family -- a little girl's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that's metastasized in his liver.  Such shocking, painful news.

At the moment, I am thankful...Yell didn't throw up on my feet after her cross country meet tonight (and for my reasonably good health, a LOT of people have it a whole lot worse than me, I need to remember that).


I am going...to bed...in about 3 minutes.  And we're going to the lake house on Saturday!!!!!


I am wearing...black shorts, red t-shirt, glasses!

I wish...I had enough money to get out of debt forever! :(

I am reading...something. I can't remember what. But it's been missing since we went camping last weekend & I just checked and it definitely is NOT in the camper :*(

I am working on...getting all of the swimmers' birth certificates collected so I can submit them to Indiana Swimming!

I am hoping...to sleep in on Saturday!

I am hearing...crickets. Nothing but crickets. And my laptop fan churning away...

I bet you didn't know...I transcribed 50 minutes of National Traffic Safety Board hearings today for a total of 7,608 words! Whew!

One of my favorite...things to do is chat with my niece and nephew before I get to work. Their little doses of cuteness make my morning shiny :) "Shoon! Car in driveway!" Some random person parked their car across my sister's driveway overnight, so my BIL couldn't get out to go to work! Scooby had to ride his bike to Kindergarten?!



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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

So my pants are ballooning around my thighs...

and I say to Crab, 'I think I have a pants problem.'

Scrawny-but-sweet 12-yr-old says, 'No you don't, they look okay.'

Hmm.

'I do, actually, they're threatening to fall off my waist. I think they've stretched out. A lot '

Replying, my skinny little Crabbycat says, 'Its ok, Mom. You can borrow one of my belts.'



Hello? Is anyone there? Or have you fallen on the floor laughing with tears in your eyes?

It was quite possibly the most generous compliment anyone has ever given me.


You may resume laughing now.


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thankful it's Thursday

'cause I need a break.





Outside my window...it is still very dark. Poo. I don't like being up before the sunshine. But it's sooooo much cooler than it has been. Fall is definitely on the way!

The time is...6:30 am

Today I feel...tired (leftover vicodin hangover?) but looking forward to the day. I hurt my back while at work last Thursday and have been taking muscle relaxants & Vicodin every night since. It makes for an early bedtime -- and then a hangover in the morning.

I am thinking...about the conference I need to plan. umm, hello, conference guy? I need a budget before I can plan for food for 120 people!

At the moment, I am thankful...that Crab is out of the shower already! Coffee is almost done, and then it's my turn in the shower.

I am going...to pay some bills today. Boring, but necessary.

I am wearing...my Mother's Day pajama pants, glasses, and a Life is Good t-shirt

I wish...I could get a better paying job. I'm being moved to a new position - lateral move - same job description, same pay - blah.

I am reading...an overdue library book!

I am working on...FTSC registration materials. The swim season is about to start and we *only* have 31 swimmers registered. It's been 3 nights of non-stop work & I'm nearly done. I get to start all over again Monday night with the last-minute registrations! Yay me!!!

I am hoping...we get 30 more swimmers, 30 more swimmers, 30 more swimmers....

I am hearing...cars going around the corner, pump turning on, and the coffee maker is done!

I bet you didn't know...I have the prettiest pedicure. Wish I could show it off at work :( With my back issues, I'm safer in my closed-toe Danskos.

One of my favorite...things to see is a positive balance in the checkbook!

My weekend plans include...a Hokum Karum for Yellybird, and possibly camping! Our goal is to stay at every state park in our state. We've only visited one park twice so far :)



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Thursday, August 19, 2010

It's Just Thursday (with a bonus)

Linking up with Murdock's Mama for Just Today -- she's hosting a giveaway this week -- the more followers the higher the prize (gift card = the # of linkups)(and you get to choose where the gift card works!)(WOOT!!!)(link up people, would ya?!)







Outside my window...there isn't one...but it was Africa Hot at 8am!!

The time is.. 11:00 am
Today I feel...excited...I have a chance to win a gift card from Murdock's Mama!

I am thinking...about the FTSC registrations on Monday.  I hope we get enough swimmers to make the whole effort worthwhile.
At the moment, I am thankful...the standards have been moved to their new 'permanent' location.  These THREE monstrously heavy files had to be moved one aisle over so we could make room for 9 employees moving in (along with their 17 file cabinets).

I am going...to enjoy my time with family this weekend.
I am wearing...jeans, white t-shirt, little clunky owl pendant (given to me by my Crab for Mother's Day 2 years ago), and my black Danskos.

I wish...I felt a whole heck of a lot happier.
I am reading...the Girl Scout Girl & Adult Program & Learning Guide. Gotta get some activities planned for these girls!

I am working on...hmmm, oh yeah, planning a certificate for a valued member of IFMOTC and getting our accounts back into the black for FT Swimming. If you feel the need to buy flowers, would you do me a favor & support our fundraiser? 50% goes to our Swim Club. Or you can just donate to FTSC (and yes, it's 501(c)(3) and you'll get a receipt indicating you made a tax deductible donation). Leave a comment & I'll email you details.
I am hoping...to find a better paying, more satisfying job.

I am hearing...a certain co-worker with poor manners, and a whole bunch of other people discussing structures.
I bet you didn't know...I. hate. my. car. I'm glad I have a working vehicle, and it does the job it should (pulling our camper), but the amount of gas it sucks down truly hurts my budget. Honestly. Chrysler, would you please come take this thing away?

One of my favorite...things to do with my family is to go camping.  We need to go again soon.  I love playing board games, biking, hiking, just hanging out without the distractions of everyday responsibilities.
My weekend plans include...Thurs cross country practice/SSPOM meeting, Fri NOTHING, Sat cross country time trials, cross country team picnic, and overnight with Scooby & Niece-ling at our house! If anything can lift my heart, it's hugs & giggles from Scoob & N :)




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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Just Thursday

Linking up with Murdock's Mama for Just Today




Outside my window...no window, but while walking outside a few minutes ago (very very slowly) it was too humid to breathe. I hate the feeling of walking through tomato soup. Blagh.


The time is...10:38am.

Today I feel...really really freaking tired.  I woke up at 3am and didn't get back to sleep until after 4:30.

I am thinking...about the Chix' first day back to school and hoping they're doing alright. I mean, I know they're doing alright. They're back with their friends in a familiar school. But 7th grade can be freaky scary - especially in a parochial school where regardless of uniform, it's still painfully obvious who the haves are (vs the have nots).  And about so many things that I'd like to put into words, but have been keeping internalized, but that really need an outlet. 

At the moment, I am thankful...Ironman got paid today.

I am going...to have leftover pizza for lunch.

I am wearing...brown danskos, khaki pants, rose colored v-neck top -- and *surprise* no sunglasses as headband!

I wish...a lot.

I am reading...the most recent Mary Ann Andrews (something to do with being pregnant with twins). I gave up on The Memory Keeper's Daughter. When the wife started being attracted to another man I had to put it down.

I am working on...getting the final budget report finished from the FTSC summer season.  And updating the SSPOM website to reflect accurate info for the next community clothing sale (Sep 18, be there!).

I am hoping...the Chicklets don't have a ton of homework tonight. Especially math. Yike.

I am hearing...a new guy in the cube diagonal to me. You can't help but hear him. Apparently he's hard of hearing AND uses a cell phone exclusively AND doesn't understand that you can't hear yourself when speaking on a cell phone so he hollers even LOUDER. Yeah. And the hawking loogie guy has been gone all week. I traded bad for equally bad.

Around the house...is a very large and very heavy table scrounged from a friend's garage. Who scrounged it from a dumpster. I can't believe someone was trying to pitch it. The sucker is indestructible!

I bet you didn't know...I've undergrown a shirt I bought over the winter. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. 'Cause I really liked the shirt. But now it looks a bit like a tent on me. Nuts.

One of my favorite...ways to fall asleep is rubbing Ironman's haircut.

My weekend plans include...holy cow...NOTHING! It's a flipping miracle!!! Maybe it'll cool off enough that we can attempt to scrape/refinish the deck some more?! Keep your fingers crossed for me?




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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

There are things that make sense. And then there’s my life.

This morning I opened my drawer and discovered I had three pairs of underwear. All of which I hated. Hmm. What to do. Wear a hated pair? Recycle a pair? Or have a helpful Ironman volunteer to go down and check the dryer?

Thank you, Ironman!

He came back with a nice clean pair fresh from the dryer (don’t get me started, I was editing web pages for more than 5 hours last night)(I was tired)(and I don’t really care if my underwear has wrinkles, the only person who sees it is me)!

Anyway, after that little dilemma was solved, I recycled the pants I wore last night to the Chicklets’ Back to School night. (I only wore them for 2 hours, came home, changed into my pajamas, and got back to editing.) Grabbed a clean shirt, took care of lunch, heated up breakfast, poured my go-cup of coffee, and walked out the door.

It was a fairly smooth morning – catch me tomorrow when it’s the Chix' first day back to school and I’ll likely have a different story for you.

I got to work, parked the car, grabbed my cellphone/car keys/coffee/water bottle/lunch box (does anyone else have a mantra they chant as they go out the door in the morning? As they exit their car? Or is it only me?), and headed for the stairs. Figuring that the only exercise I’d get today is up and down the stairs of the parking garage, I went at ‘em. From 4 down to the basement and the cooler air conditioned gerbil tubes…until I felt the little tie-thing on the side of my pants…it was flipping oddly.

These are the most comfy cargo-type pants. They roll up at the sides if I want to wear them that way (which I am), or they can be rolled down (in the event of an arctic chill?)

I slowed down to look at the tie-things. They didn’t seem to be loose. What on earth? Checked the outer leg, nope, it was tied, too.
And then it happened.



My underwear (from yesterday) fell out of the back of my pants and onto the stairs.



Quicker than you can say “holy cow, did I really see that happen?” I scooped those suckers up and crammed them into….




So, she asked while quickly changing the subject, what’s in your lunchbox today?


Monday, August 9, 2010

Surprise!

Last weekend Ironman and I went to his high school reunion. The Chicklets went to their cousins' house for a sleepover. Dixie had her own sleepover at my parents' house.

When we went to get Dixie-the-wonder-pup, we found a surprise in the back yard.



Can you believe it?

Friday, August 6, 2010

Reunion

I grew up in a small town. And I live in a small town.

Just kidding. Kind of. Thanks John Mellencamp :)

I grew up in the same city where I currently live. But it was a lot different 'back then'.

Way back when...I lived in a big 'ol farmhouse in a neighborhood on the north side. My parents bought the house for a song (because it lacked some basics -- electricity, plumbing, kitchen) and we grew up in the fixer upper.

Random memories...
  • leaning against the screens to watch the rain puddle under the downspouts
  • swinging on the front porch swing during thunderstorms - and when the wind blew really hard we'd cuddle under a blanket while we felt safe swinging next to Dad
  • 'helping' Mom paint the fence in the backyard (by dropping our paintbrushes into the dirt)
  • Dad climbing up to the attic via a very tall step ladder and then his head, shoulders, waist, legs...disappearing into the nothingness of my bedroom ceiling
  • having to wear slippers in the summertime because the wooden floors gave us splinters if we didn't
  • Dad cutting off the legs of a table to make us one we could play at in the playroom
  • dinner on the blue willow plates
  • how patient Mom was when we begged for a sheet/rag so we could make a 'tent' in the corner of the fenced-in-yard
  • Dad building us a sandbox that was half the length of our barn



But a lot has changed since then. I got married and moved south. I had kids. My siblings moved out. My parents sold the house and moved further north. And the neighborhood where my house was has become renter's central. It's still a hubbub of activity, but it's for a younger generation. Gone are the people I knew and loved: the older neighbors who watched out for the little ones riding bikes down the sidewalks; the helpful ones who corrected you for a transgression; the young families; the babysitters; the parents and children; all have made way for the hip, the young, the transient.

It's sad that my neighborhood has changed in such a major way. I look back at that house, that neighborhood, those families, with such fondness. It's going to be an interesting reunion. I'm sure there's a funny factor to be found.

Somewhere.




Thursday, August 5, 2010

Today is just today. And I'm ok with that.

Linking up with Murdock's Mama for Just Today





Outside my window...no window, but last time I was outside it was getting sunny & already incredibly humid. Nothing like the midwest in August & taking a walk through hot soup at 7am!


The time is...8:39am

Today I feel...tired

I am thinking...I'm really glad I remembered to grab my lunch today, because I totally forgot my purse. Doh!

At the moment, I am thankful...for seatbelts. Idiot driver pulled out in of a gas station without looking and nearly smashed into me. Instead I locked up my brakes, hit the horn, and locked up my seatbelt. I have a bruise from the seatbelt, but my airbag didn't deploy and we didn't collide.
Stupid.

Idiot.

Driver.

Should have just hit her.

Yes, I'm still irritated.

I am going...to try to figure out a running partner for Yell to run with at Anna's Celebration of Life this weekend.

I am wearing...black dockers, red button down short-sleeve shirt, black Danskos, earplugs, sunglasses as headband, and *horrors* no makeup! Yep, it's in my purse.

I wish...I could afford a new laptop

I am reading...Excel 2007 for Dummies (and The Memory Keeper's Daughter)(still) and I'm really enjoying another audibook by Rebecca Stead.  The Chicklets & I listened to First Light and it was truly a GREAT book.  I reviewed it on Goodreads.com if you want details.

I am working on...getting my living room dusted (found cobwebs on a lamp last night, ewwww) & figuring out some more shortcuts for Excel.  I'd really like to be a lot more proficient at this program.

I am hoping...for cooler weather soon!  Seriously, people, 110°F heat index at 2pm is just too freaking hot for comfort!

I am hearing...lots of work conversations.

Around the house...are lots of cicadas. One even flew into the house this morning!

I bet you didn't know...my twins are now certified Super Sitters! No more guilt over leaving them alone for a couple of hours - WAHOO!!!

One of my favorite...pens is a Staples OptiFlow gel pen. Smooth writing. No scratchiness. And it starts to write the instant I take off the cap. Glad work supplies them for my desk!

My weekend plans include...my grade school reunion (went to the same school 1st-8th grade) on Friday, race/fun run on Saturday for Yell, picking up back-to-school packets for the Chicklets, and a board meeting for FTSC. No rest for the wicked, right?

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Monday, August 2, 2010

8 Things...

I found this on the Cobia Family blog and decided to borrow - why not? it's cute!

8 Things I'm looking forward to...
1. going to bed
2.chicklets going to their Safe Sitter course
3.Crab's kickball tryouts
4.getting the fundraising check from Chick-Fil-A for FTSC
5. getting Ironman a treadmill for his birthday
6.fall leaves starting to change
7. going to the lake house with the M family again!
8. possibly having Niece-ling & Scooby overnight this month :)


8 Things I did yesterday...

1. went to church
2. had lunch with high school friend's of Ironman's
3. got to visit with my in-laws
4. made fun of my nephew's Facebook profile pic (it's truly horrible)
5. picked up Dixie-the-wonder-pup from my parents' house
6. got to visit with L & A (a welcome surprise)
7. made a video of a cicada walking up a tree
8.watched a balloon touch down in my parents' back yard!

8 Things I wish I could do...

1. run
2. kneel (stupid knees)
3. find a better paying job
4. understand powerpoint
5. understand sharepoint
6. learn Excel (got this one, though, just got a book from the library tonight!)
7. have more patience with my kids
8. get my house clean & KEEP IT THAT WAY!

8 Things I enjoy...

1. ice cream
2. reading to the chix before bed
3. playing with computer software
4. libraries
5. cuddling with Ironman
6. sleeping on my stomach (which hurts my back, so I can't do it)
7. a reallllly good lasagna
8. reading - blogs, books, newspapers...just about anything that'll sit still!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Girls?

Apparently my twins are quite the popular young ladies ::snort::  They've been mother's helpers again this summer for a set of twin boys (27 mos) and their now 7-month-old brother.  Too funny that the big boys are requesting their presence (and too sweet).  I'm glad they all get along.


From: JKG
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:51 -0400
To: Suz
Subject: Girls?

I love your kids but if I hear Abby? Kelly? Abby? Kelly? one more time, I think I am going to scream! 

Saturday, July 31, 2010

From the mouth of...

my little Niece-ling!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kake
Date: Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Subject: Niece-ling's latest
To: Suz


We were on a walk today and passed by a porch where a couple of grandparents were sitting outside with 2 kids, one a baby.

N: "They hab a baby."

me: "They did? You like babies, don't you?"

Natalie: "Yeah. Sometimes." [pause] "You buy one?" "A real one?"

============
Kake
Writer, Editor, Proofreader

Read my latest story for Ohio Magazine, Get Out and Play, about summer events in the Dayton area.

Friday, July 30, 2010

look at those happy faces

Crab, Ironman, Yell
July 1999
These little Chicklets were 14 months old & trying to escape from Ironman when I snapped this photo.  Yell insisted that she is "the one on the right 'cuz I don't have a big head".  She's right!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Thursday, July 29, 2010

watch what you wish for!

Watch what you wish for? You betcha! I've been overwhelmed this week!!!






Outside my window...don't have one - but last time I passed one it was overcast, very very overcast - yuk


The time is...1113 am

Today I feel...overwhelmed

I am thinking...how am I ever going to finish my to-do list

At the moment, I am thankful...for earphones, 'cuz my cube neighbor is preaching the virtues of his religion to another co-worker AGAIN. Not that I have a problem with other religions, but jeez, it gets really OLD to hear it EVERY FREAKING DAY!

I am going...to go shopping for "beach wear" for Ironman's high school reunion this weekend.

I am wearing...brown chinos, brown patterned short-sleeve shirt, brown sweater (it's FREEZING in here), and yes, brown Danskos

I wish...I had gotten a better night's sleep last night

I am reading...The Memory Keeper's Daughter...still

I am working on...updating the work website, asbestos licensing renewals, replacing editable documents, paying bills, and praying for peace within my own head

I am hoping...the thunderstorms stay away tonight 'cuz the Chicklets are camping in tents with Girl Scouts!

I am hearing...Bill Cosby Himself (thank you earphones!!!), and it's making me giggle..."So I went back downstairs and my wife said, 'Did you kill him?' and I said, 'no' and she said, 'Well, why not?!?' and I said, 'I don't know???'"

Around the house...I found the floor of the closet room...so it no longer looks like this
um, thanks Chicklets?

I bet you didn't know...I found out my knee is "weird"

One of my favorite...snacks is chips - and I'm avoiding them like the plague!

My weekend plans include...picking up Chicklets at my mom's on Saturday (after they babysit their cousins on Friday/Saturday), going to Ironman's hometown for his high school reunion, watching Chicklets swim in the hotel pool, and hightailing it back home on Sunday so we can be greeters at church ::whew::


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Monday, July 26, 2010

My Monday

Satisfying, that was my day.

I awoke to hear a Chicklet in the bathroom. Not surprising, as it was the first day of Girl Scout camp. Surprising as it was only 6am! Not that I pry them out of bed on a regular basis - when they awake at 5:15 two days a week it's to go to their 'job' and they usually run around like crazy loons because they can't wait to get to 'their boys'. In case you didn't know, they are mother's helpers for a friend with 28-month-old twin boys and their 7-month-old little brother.

Anyway, the Chicklets were way too excited - way too ready - and WAHOO! on time for the bus.

I got to work at my anticipated time - one hour *after* my scheduled start time - using one hour of vacation (every day this week). I can handle it, no biggie, I'm very glad to be able to send the Chicklets to Girl Scout camp despite the goofy hours offered and having to take 1.25 hours of very precious vacation time to get them to/from the bus stop four days a week.

And the instant I walked through the door, I was nothing but business - busy ness - busybusybusy.

Updated a web page. Created a memo, proofed, converted to Adobe, and then posted to the web. Delivered mail. Answered a bazillion emails about a conference. Made and answered phone calls regarding the conference. Made and answered phone calls regarding inspection activities. Created some fun profiles for inspectors that make it oh-so-much-easier to handle their hotel reservations. Dealt with varying hotels all over the place so I could get the lowest price for the rooms I needed to reserve. Made an evaluation for conference attendees.

And then I flew out of work like a bat out of h-e-double hockey sticks so I could get the Chicklets from their camp bus.

After I got the Chicklets from their bus I high-tailed it back to work (with the Chicklets in tow) to finish compiling all of the powerpoint presentations for the conference in the morning. I ended up being at work until 1800. (6pm) 8.25 hours

I guess I don't need to take vacation time after all.

Just color me a happy lil' camper :) I can't wait for tomorrow!



Thursday, July 22, 2010

tired and content



Outside my window...it's black as pitch, hot, HUMID, and there's a baby bird cheeping away for some food from his mommy!

The time is...1236 am

Today I feel...tired, but sooooooo happy my chicklets were so kind to me tonight

I am thinking...I should really be in bed

At the moment, I am thankful...Ironman wasn't seriously injured when his humvee was rear ended by a semi on Monday. Thank you, God, for your many blessings!

I am going...to bed very very very shortly!

I am wearing...quick-dry shorts, a muppets t-shirt, glasses

I wish...I could just relax

I am reading...The Memory Keeper's Daughter, and Twenties Girl (which is due to Murdock's Mama)(and so far is completely weird)

I am working on...getting the rest of the bills/papers on my kitchen counter filed/sorted/GONE!

I am hoping...the repair bill for Ironman's car is less than $2,000 (please, God, hear this prayer....)

I am hearing...two Chicklets who really should NOT be awake & arguing at this hour!

Around the house...is shockingly straightened up (except for the random coloring pages a certain daughter [ahem...Yell...] left strewn about the living room)

I bet you didn't know...that when I got home from work Wed, two Chicklets had:  made dinner, washed four loads of laundry, cleaned up the playroom, and made chocolate chip cookie dough!  Oh the things they'll do for me when they want to go shopping for school supplies :)

One of my favorite...sounds is the giggles of my twins...just not at 1222a.m.

My weekend plans include...possibly going to the Brickyard 400...possibly sleeping late on Saturday morning...DEFINITELY seeing Ironman again!


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