My Grotto

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T09:40:00.002-06:00

I've been working on a website for Hair Color Etc. Its just a shell right now; I'm waiting for more information from the owner, but I was actually able to learn a lot from working on this site. Turns out, watching tutorials can be pretty helpful. I'm looking forward to redoing the Digital Ninjas Media website with all my new knowledge.

In other news, Christmas and New Years were uneventful, which gave me time to read just for the fun of it. It was a nice change. I read The Hunger Games books (there are 3). They were quick reads, each one took less than a day, which was nice, since I didn't really have time to read. I highly suggest the books, though.

Tuesday I start my new part time job with the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee. I will be there for 3 hours on Tuesdays and doing some work from home aside from that. Hopefully, this will open other doors for us at Digital Ninjas Media, as well.

Today, I will enjoy my last day off. I plan on spending it doing some organization, working on websites, and working on a small sewing project.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Why can't I ever spell brochure correctly?

2011-11-14T11:38:00.002-06:00

Seriously. I never spell this word correctly on the first try. I always realize its wrong when I do it, and correct it, but its never correct the first time.

I've noticed this, but never really realized it until working on one for a client. That's right. Digital Ninjas Media, Inc. has another client (the first was Stateline Chimney Sweeps). Steve's Auto Repair requested that we make him a brochure. This was originally going to be a job for Ninja Partner Jim, but... well... Husband and I ended up having to cancel some plans to get it done last minute. We had to purchase software (the reason Jim was going to do it is because he had the software), and spent around 6 hours getting it done, but we were pretty happy with it. The client liked 1 of the 2 versions he was presented and got them printed right away. It may have been stressful, but it was fun working at home, with Husband, and growing our business.

This past weekend we met with a potential client who owns a hair salon. She's rated one of the top 5 colorists in the nation. We sent her a quote and will hopefully hear from her soon.

Still waiting for the go-ahead to prepare a website for the Souls Harbor Food Pantry, which will be done pro-bono, but will allow us another site for our portfolio. Since we've decided to offer discounts for agencies such as this, hopefully it will open up doors to other non-profits for the area.

On that note... its back to work.

Hogs on Ice

2011-10-24T08:59:00.002-05:00

This weekend, Husband and I went to our first IceHogs (hockey) game. As they were warming up, I was noticing the angle from my head down to the ice, the fact that the protective plexiglass did not interrupt the path of that angle, and the fact that many of the pucks were going airborne as they all took their practice shots into the goal. I mentioned to Heath that I really did not want to get hit in the head with the puck, then we both blew it off as a very unlikely chance. However, not 10 minutes later, a puck slammed into the seat in front of me. My first hockey game led to my first souvenir. It was pretty great. There was a lot of fighting. Some of it right in front of us. Our team lost (the game and at least one of the fights), but it was still super fun. Thanks to our Digital Ninjas Media partner, Jim, for getting us the tickets. It was definitely something I could get into.

In other news, my attempt to raise ghost shrimp has once again failed. I returned home one evening to find she had dropped about half of her eggs. I quickly set up the other tank to put her in so I could try to save the rest of the eggs, but she never dropped them. Instead, two days later, she died. Perhaps raising ghost shrimp is not one of those things I'm good at.

Now its time for Ranting with Wanda.
Its Monday. I'm not a fan of Monday's. But I show up to work anyway. This particular morning I had a plan to stop at the gas station (I really need gas) and pick up a Pepsi (as receptionist is really bad about letting the guys know when we are low on pop - something she regularly gets in trouble for, yet still never does), but I got stuck in road construction on Route 2. (Been down route 2 lately? WOW, they've torn up the field and taken down trees south of Latham all the way to wear the road opens up to 4 lanes). By the time I get out of there, I realize that if I stop to get gas and a Pepsi I will be late, so I don't. I can always go on lunch, right? So I get to work at 8:28, a mere 2 minutes before I'm supposed to be there. I am, of course, the only one there. I know the receptionist is always late. Every day in fact, except for the once a month when she manages to get here 15 minutes early. No idea what is going on there, but I can't figure out how someone who only lives 7 minutes away can be late EVERY DAY. Today, she was exceptionally late. She had to stop at McDonald's for breakfast (which she does EVERY DAY, as well).
Its just frustrating to me that I can't bring myself to do that. I would have had a fairly viable reason for being late had I stopped, after all, I didn't know they were stopping traffic on Route 2 and I do need gas; I wouldn't have gotten into trouble. Yet, I couldn't. And every day, our receptionist is late, and she still stops at McDonald's. There's even a few times when she's only 5 minutes late and I know that if she wouldn't have stopped, she would have been here on time. (sigh)

Integrity, anyone?

This rant brought to you by the letters M and R and the number 3.

What, now?

2011-10-11T15:05:00.003-05:00

I'm pretty sure I got in trouble this morning, but what I got in trouble for is so crazy, I'm not really sure...

One of our new tenants came in the office this morning looking for a phone book. One of the Powers That Be here stepped out of their office as I was telling said tenant that I didn't have one because I don't use them. The tenant simply replied "Yeah, but my internet is so intermittent down there, I can't get on right now to look it up." So, after a while of searching we sent him on his way. I was then asked by the aforementioned Power That IS if I really didn't have one. I replied no, I hadn't in the 3 years I had been there as I just look it up on the internet, its faster and has proven to be more up-to-date. I was then lectured on why I need a phone book (there could be information in there that isn't on the internet, apparently).

O_o

Puppies!

2011-10-05T10:43:00.005-05:00

I have no puppies. I saw an ad for Golden Retriever puppies, though, (which are my all-time favorite dog that I would love to have) and couldn't help it.

The Blanket and Food Drive is moving slow. I ended up putting things aside while dealing with bronchitis and other bacteria-related issues, but it should be back in full swing pretty soon. I may even call my friend at the Rockford Public Library to see about putting up flyers and having a drop box there.

In other news: My ghost shrimp has eggs! I knew that I had purchased male and female (as there is an incredible difference in size) but all of the reading I had done on them indicated that they would not mate unless they were in groups of 6 or more. I know, there are so many inappropriate comments that can be made about that. However, my two are apparently very happy with each other. So, tonight I prepare the other tank so I can separate her until she lays the eggs and I'll give raising ghost shrimp another shot. I'm such a nerd.

I'm also learning how to create a mobile website for a current client of Digital Ninjas Media (check out

Ideas

2011-09-16T11:31:00.001-05:00

The problem is, I have a ton of ideas. The bigger problem is, I want to do them ALL.

My sister-in-law announced they are in need of more blankets for the homeless. I decided it would be a great idea to have a food and blanket drive to launch Digital Ninjas Media (the official launch date is October 1). I need to stop having ideas or I may never sleep again...

Tiny people

2011-09-10T09:10:00.004-05:00

We're in Dubuque, Iowa this weekend for a wedding. On the river. The connected hotel is actually a resort with a full on, very popular, water park, of which we are on the sixth floor (hence the tiny people). I remember always wanting to go swimming when I was younger, often asking to go to someone's house who had a pool, but I never really got into the whole swimming thing. I took lessons as a child, and cried and cried the day I had to jump off the diving board. I never did it. The instructor came, and lowered me down as low as she (he?) could, then dropped me in the water. I have this thing about going under water. I'm fine as long as I don't have to put my head under.

Which leads me to wonder how I'll handle snorkeling when we go on the cruise. Hopefully, that will be different with the goggles and snorkel.

This ends the year of weddings. Albeit a bit premature. I've been unofficially uninvited to what was the final wedding of the year (i.e. defriended by the bride and defriended and blocked by the bride's mother on facebook). Yep. Blocked. Seriously. That's what I did to an ex-boyfriend whom I had almost gotten a restraining order against, and that is what my aunt has done to me. If we actually talked more than twice a year, it might matter, but since we never have, I guess its not too big of a a deal.

Well, off to explore Dubuque, this amazing wedding site on the river, which appears from a distance reminiscent of the opera house in Sydney, Australia.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Bios

2011-08-28T15:14:00.002-05:00

As promised, here are the bios for the other two Ninjas. Serious bios are currently up at www.digitalninjasmedia.com, full bio pages will include these bios as well as other fun facts, but its not up yet. Because this is taking a while.

"Jim Gade holds an Associates of Science degree in Graphic Design, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Science for Multimedia from Westwood College. A Harlem Graduate, he also hints vaguely about his time at Wizard College, but only during re-runs of "Mork & Mindy". Currently, he serves as Video Services Manager for the Rockford Ice Hogs, has earned top-honors in art competitions, has work on public display, and has had photographic works published. When not working, Jim enjoys asking strangers for candy and painting impressionistic interpretations of what he calls 'giraffes snuggling'. You'll have to take his word on that because, to most outside observers, it just looks like six crazed ferrets fighting over what might conceivably be a banjo."

"Dave Block is a graduate of Guilford High School, and Owner-Extraordinaire of independent film production company, 'Block Films'. His acting career began in 1987 when he was cast in 'Peter Pan' at Rock Valley College's Starlight Theater, and he continued to be cast in numerous other roles until he took some time off to get a real job. After a string of management positions, he returned to writing music, and movies, and is currently working on a book. He has also written, starred in, and directed the 'Insurance King' commercials, where he played the ever-so-popular "Insurance Geek" (fighting crime and high insurance rates!) and an entire stand-up routine on being the middle child, "Middle Child Syndrome". It is an epidemic that he feels more people need to acquaint themselves with - preferably by buying tickets to his show. His 3rd Feature film, "The Adventures Of Wyatt Trash: The Devil's Spittoon" is currently in the works. And if you call him David, you will be challenged to a marathon Connnect-Four session, or be faced with listening to a saxophone solo of Billy Joel's, "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me". So we really don't recommend that you do that."

More Fun Business Stuff

2011-08-24T19:29:00.006-05:00

Work on the Digital Ninjas Media website is coming along. We have no graphics and no photos yet, but its up. Part of it anyway. I'm still working on it. Yeah, its not great, yet.

Once we get pictures and graphics, it will hopefully look great.

Last night, I designed our business cards, and I'm pretty happy with them, I must say. We're getting quotes on getting them printed and should have cards by the middle to end of next week.

Now.... since I never finished the bios... Here's mine:
Wanda K. Alberts is a graduate of Winnebago High School, and a certified paralegal. She has come from, "Thank you! Drive through!" to be a force for social change via her not-for-profit and community outreach project, 'Tailored To Hire'. She has been known to slip into Japanese or Spanish in casual conversation, and cannot make Rice Krispie Treats without coming away with battle scars. She is experienced with Web Design, Marketing, Business Management, and more software packages than a Nerf display. She currently divides her time between work and plotting to take over one of the lesser moons of Jupiter and... oh, we've said too much.

Stay tuned for bios of Jim Gade and Dave Block!

We Have A Logo!

2011-08-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

We are pleased to announce the logo for Digital Ninjas Media!

Get to know Digital Ninjas Media! Today: Heath

2011-08-07T16:28:00.006-05:00

Heath D. Alberts is a graduate of Boylan High School, and a college dropout. He has been employed in a vast number of interesting positions, including Unix Mainframe SysOp, web site designer, Corporate Operations Manager, and cartoon character. He is the author of a novel, has experienced house flipping, and has been known to shoot bottle rockets out of his teeth. He is experienced with HTML, too many software packages and OS's to name, Marketing, a Wand Of Fire with a 2xD12 damage roll, and Business Management. And now he's taken on the mantle of, 'Guy who makes sure that your advertising dollar is so well spent that you just might plotz.'

Heath fun fact #127:
Did you know that Heath once held a Realtor's license?
After saving box tops for nearly 3 years, he realized that prize was not a valid license, so he attended classes in Rockford and finally achieved his goal.

Heath Fun Fact #3
Heath is a certified NRA Sharpshooter. 'nuff said.

Heath Fun Fact #87
Even though he is afraid of heights, Heath once strapped a lazy-eyed Dutchman to his back and fell out of a plane.

Official Announcement

2011-08-03T19:26:00.002-05:00

Heath and I, along with two friends, Dave Block and Jim Gade, would like to formally announce the formation of Digital Ninjas Media, Inc.

Below is Heath's "announcement"

It is now a matter of public record. We will be supplying the area with turn-key media production: Television commercials, radio spots, web page design, media space design, viral marketing strategy, and anything else we feel that we can assist our potential clients with.

Dave Block is the founder of Block Films, an independent filmmaker with several comedy gems under his belt in the Wyatt Trash series. Dave has done not only movie production, editing, and sound, but has also spent a good deal of his life as an actor.

Jim Gade is an old friend whom I look forward to re-connecting with more in the near-term. If any of you have ever been to a Rockford Ice Hogs game, you've seen Jim's work (we'll have a whole working archive of all of our works once the page for the company begins to form up and go live). He handles all of the media production for them - digital and otherwise - and is some kind of alien/wizard hybrid when it comes to digital graphic design.

If a Song Could Be President

2011-07-31T21:41:00.003-05:00

"John Prine would run the FBI" - Over The Rhine

A few weeks ago, my boss was announced as the new Chairman of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee.

You may, or may not, remember that in 2009 he briefly ran for State Representative of the 68th District. (I wrote his webpage and was working on the campaign). He ran due to the announcement that Dave Winters would not be running for the position again. When Winters changed his mind and announced his candidacy for reelection, my boss decided that, since he fully supported Winters, he would not run against him and dropped out. It was understandable, but disappointing for me as this was a wonderful opportunity and experience.

Two weeks ago, the Event Coordinator for the WCRCC announced she had found a new position. As this is an extremely part-time position (roughly 3 to 4 hours a week), when the announcement was made in our office, I semi-jokingly said I'd do it.

Friday, for the third time that week, my boss said that if I was interested he could change the hours that someone needed to be in the office (once a week for a few hours) so that I wouldn't lose much time at work, and could easily make up the hours.

After discussing with Husband, I will be submitting my Letter of Interest tomorrow and finalizing details to confirm this will, in fact, work with my schedule.

Worse than a 10-year-old with a fair prize...

2011-07-21T09:04:00.007-05:00

My ghost shrimp died yesterday. First one, then the other. I think they got a little too warm, but I'm not really sure.

Our power went out a little after 6:00 Tuesday evening. Just after my migraine hit. By 9:00 I had spent a large amount of time trying to sleep through the neighbor girl play catch in our yard just below my bedroom window (because her big, fenced-in backyard wasn't good enough for her) and had finally asked Heath if there was anything he could do about whatever was beeping in the house every minute or so.

I decided that, since the air wasn't on, and the upper level was getting a bit warm, I should move the fish, snail and shrimp(s) to the lower level. So I piled them all into the 1 gallon bowl I use when cleaning the tank and brought them downstairs where it was cooler. Of course, just over an hour later, the power came back on.

I left them in the bowl overnight, thinking I'd get them settled back in the tank Wednesday evening. I was completely out of it (see "migraine" above), but I do know that they were swimming around happily in the bowl before I left for work in the morning. However, I returned home to 1 less shrimp than when I left (the dead one having been given a "flush funeral" by Husband...thank you!). The other appeared happy and healthy, but less than an hour later, she too was gone.

So this weekend, I plan on setting up the corner tank so that I can take another try at raising baby ghost shrimp, and then begin the hunt for a store that is not out of stock. Hopefully, I'll find one with eggs. We'll see how that goes.

I'm bad at this

2011-07-17T16:30:00.004-05:00

2+ months. So much for my plans to keep up-to-date.

A quick fill in... I now have two ghost shrimp, since Lou has passed. Both females, and both had eggs when I got them. I tried to raise the babies, and even found a couple of the super tiny, see-through guys a few days after the hatching, but they didn't survive the week.

I am working to reinstate the anonymous work blog, and that will hopefully be up and running soon. I just can't make some of these stories up!

Other than that, I am trying to maintain a drama-free life. I think I would be able to achieve this goal, if it weren't for the overwhelming drama others seem to bring to the table. And now, somehow, I find myself being the bad guy, which is more than confusing to me. I'm 34. I do not need to be put in a position where my friend(s) are mad at me and I don't know why. To quote my sister-in-law "Sometimes when people are in the wrong and they know it, they act very childish." I hope it passes, but if not, I'll live.

I'm trying to market and grow both the Tailored To Hire and Virtual Assistant businesses, which seems to have taken over my weekend, and will probably continue to do so. I will continue to post when I manage to drag my lazy self to the site, so until next time... Have a wonderful, yet drama-free, week!

Dance, Burger Boy!

2011-05-02T20:54:00.003-05:00

I've been working on developing Job Skills Preparation classes in partnering with RootsUp. So far, I have each of the classes' main topic, a summary of what each class will teach, and a variety of information thrown unorganizationally (is that a word) into an MSWord document.

Also, it has changed from being "classes" to being a seminar. It's a learning process, I suppose there will be more changes as it forms.

In December, I finally broke down and purchased a used Blackberry Curve. I love it. I'm a technological nerd. I love being able to say I learned to type at the age of 10 on a commodore 64 (with 128 mode). And I drool over the next newest gadget (Blackberry Playbook, anyone?)

I also decided to purchase friends for my fish, Ryuk. I have a snail. This is the second snail, actually. The first one was our friend. Husband liked snail, Ryuk liked snail, I liked snail and I believe Cheyenne liked snail. She was a good snail. Then she spent a day not moving and it wasn't long before we determined she was dying. It took a whole week (apparently they die as slow as they move), it was sad. So we bought a new one, and while I was there I decided to buy a ghost shrimp. It looked evil at first, but now he's just cool. He's see-through, and it's really gross to watch him eat, since you can see the food in his body. They have names, now, too. I had one name picked out, but I didn't know which one to apply the name to, and I didn't want to name one without the other, so I held onto it. Until two weekends ago. Knitter-in-law was visiting and when I told her the name issue, she said that I should name the Ghost Shrimp "Lou". Hence, I have a Ghost Shrimp named Lou. The snail is now named Menchi. Menchi was a dog from an anime series. In the show, a poor girl finds the dog and takes it home with the intention of eating it. However, on the way, she stumbles upon food. She takes the dog home and decides to keep it as her Emergency Food Supply. She names it Menchi.

Along the lines of filling in holes, an old high school friend is back in the picture. Her daughter contacted me via facebook one night and the rest is history. However, she has decided to make the change from one version of shortening her name to another version. Boy is that hard to get used to. So far, I'm not doing so good with that...

I finally got my hands on a garden gnome, and I'm currently waiting for Husband to use the bathroom... I decided I could get away with the lame gnome-on-the-toilet prank this time since he doesn't even know we have one. I did take a picture of him with a razor taped to his hands that will become the background on his laptop tomorrow morning before I leave for work.

I think that catches us up for now. Now, if I can just keep up with it!

I'm back

2011-04-21T09:17:00.005-05:00

Yes. I am back. With a goal of posting at least once a month, a plan to redesign the page, and no reason as to why.

Coming soon:

Tailored To Hire Partnering With RootsUp.

Old friend / New Name.

Why my Ghost Shrimp is named Lou.

and more!

So don't miss out on this exciting(?) reinstatement!

Yay me!

Cheyenne says Hi.

2010-03-09T21:22:00.001-06:00

I finally get settled in with my notes and laptop; ready to type away and the cat takes over. Settled half on my keyboard and half on my arms, this will be quite a challenge. But I have procrastinated long enough, so here it is:

January 20th
Wednesday
I stopped at the local store this morning to pick up soft lotion kleenexes thanks to my lovely cold and noticed that the lane which is usually open is now closed. In fact, they are all closed. My only option is the self checkout lane, which I avoid like the plague. Jobs are hard enough to come by these days, why not find other ways to get rid of low paying jobs and help others join the unemployed crowd.

January 21st
Thursday
Sometimes during lunch I like to go relax on one of the two couches in our building. I have a favorite, due to the fact that the room is usually hovering around 80 or so (I so love warmth) The office right next to the room this particular couch is in is used by the Baptist Association and today he was searching the web listening to several politicians and the Baptist view of them. Interesting.

January 22nd
Friday
We have renters in our building at work. One of these is a process server and another is another attorney. The secretary for the attorney and the process server apparently used to date way back in the day. She’s married now and happy. Today, I saw them kiss. Sort of. It was a friendly sort of thing but definitely shocking to someone who didn’t know and wasn’t expecting that sort of thing.

January 23rd
Saturday
Heath used my label-maker. It made me giddy with organizational joy.

January 24th
Sunday
I went to pick up some clothes that was donated to <a href=”http:\\tailoredtohire.com”>Tailored To Hire</a> and as I was returning home some handicap driver pulled out in front of me. Then almost ran into a parked car.

January 25th
Monday
I have been trying to train Ryuk (my fish) to eat out of my hand. I stick of piece of his “treats” on my finger and dangle it in the water. Today, he took it from me!

January 26th
Tuesday
Today I got to see a lady just barely make it outside of a public building before throwing up. All over the sidewalk.

January 27th
Wednesday
For Christmas I got the attorney’s in my office something they were passionate about. They each got a picture of something that they hollered and yelled about all year long. In one case, it was a picture of someone who had no business in our building parked in our parking lot. Today, the attorney finally had enough and went outside to tell her she couldn’t park there anymore. Just as the bus pulled up dropping off her child.

January 28th
Thursday
My cat threw up everywhere today. By the time I got home, my husband had it all cleaned up, but there were paper towels warning of wet spots scattered throughout the house. Yuck.

January 29th
Friday
I really don’t have much for today other than watching people try to be lazy and cut across the work parking lot only to realize they can’t get through because of the snow and they have to turn around. Exciting, I know.

January 30th
Saturday
My Knitter-in-law’s birthday celebration. We went to a yummy restaurant where I ate food I had never eaten before. We hung out and had a good time. Keen.

January 31st – February 5th
I appear to be missing my notes from January 31st through February 5th and since I am writing this on March 9th there is no way I am going to remember this. To be posted later????

February 6th
Saturday
My day was spent with my new laptop! It’s pink and shiny and perfect!

February 7th
Sunday
Today was spent with my laptop still. Setting it up and fun stuff. My husband is keen.

February 8th
Monday
We have very fat squirrels at work. But they’re cute, especially when they drink out of puddles.

February 9th
Tuesday
Our neighbor (from down the street) snow-blowed our driveway today. Thanks, Tyler! Our snow-blower has gone to … wherever snow-blowers go to when they are no more.

February 10th
Wednesday
Our receptionist had to shovel today. She hurts herself walking from one room to another, she doesn’t go a week without dropping and/or spilling a can of soda, she is over 50 and has very bad knees, but she was asked to shovel.

February 11th
Thursday
I received a call today from our of counsel attorney’s husband. I told him she was not there and his response was:

“Oh. Well I’ll tell you what I needed, I was just wondering what size mitten I should get.”

I told him I was sorry, but I really didn’t know. And that was our conversation.

February 12th
Friday
My brother-in-law and his wife came up and we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. It was fun and horrible all at the same time.

February 13th
Saturday
We played Wii Bowling with my brother-in-law and his wife. Finally, something I can beat them at.

February 14th
Sunday
Today I watched more Olympic fun.

February 15th
Monday
Food Pantry! Tonight I worked on cleaning off shelves in a storage closet and hid from some people. It was nice.

And I will leave you with that. Still almost a month behind, but better than it was!

I have not forgotten you!

2010-02-08T13:18:00.001-06:00

Seriously, I haven’t. I have a list of all my daily viewings, it’s just not with me. I also have lasagna noodles, which were to be made into lasagna for my mom for a Christmas present. Lucky for me, she’s pretty understanding about the fact that I haven’t gotten it to her yet.

The real post is forthcoming. I promise!

P365 1.15.10 - 1.19.10

2010-01-19T20:15:00.004-06:00

January 15th
Pizza. We have a nice weekly ritual of ordering pizza on Friday nights and hanging out watching sitcoms. It's a great way to begin the weekend and the site of Sam's Pepperoni, Double Cheese and Green Olive Pizza was particularly amazing after the week I'd had.

January 16th
I has a problem. Whenever I go into a store with animals, I can't stay away from them. I was viewing the Betta fish at our too-close-to-home mega-store. They are so pretty. The first one was gold/flesh colored with a brilliant red-gold tail. I really wanted him While holding the cup in my hand, I caught a glimpse of the fish behind it. A pale purple betta. OMG the fish was PURPLE! I wanted him too. Then, I saw it.
Have you ever seen something and immediately thought of the person it should belong to? Today I saw Heath's fish. Heath doesn't want a fish, but this was his fish. We have a slightly-broken ceramic green and red dragon in our closet. This "Japanese Fighting Fish" is the exact same colors. Shimmery green-green body with a fiery red tail. I wanted this fish for Heath.
I have since resolved to never go near the Betta fish section again unless I am picking up supplies for my fish. Why do I have to like a fish that cannot be put in a tank with others of its kind?

January 17th
I sit behind my sister-in-law, S, and her three kids in church. My sister-in-law has a beautiful voice (I think its a requirement of living in her hometown in Arkansas). Today, the youngest was sitting on S's (heh) lap during song service and S would sing at her and they would smile at each other. The little girl gave her mom the biggest most sincere smile that showed complete joy and happyness. Very sweet.

January 18th
I took my cat to the vet today. On the way home he sat calmly in my lap and buried his head in the crook of my arm. At one point while I was scratching his head at a stop sign, he looked up at me in a way that I can only explain was a thank you for getting him out of there, meowed, touched his nose to my nose, laid back down and buried his head again. This was very touching as I believe he spends most of his time planning my demise.

January 19th
For those of you who see too many parents on cell phones lose track of their childre; this posting is for you:
I watched a young father remove three children ranging from approximately 2 to 5 years old from his mini-van. As he got the first one out, he knelt down and placed one of the child's hands on the car, then reached in for the second, and again knelt down and placed one of her hands on the car next to the first. He repeated this with the third and placed her hand on the car while he made sure he had everything he needed. He then linked everyone's arms together creating a chain and they happily trotted off across the parking lot, chatting and being happy together. Hooray for cool parents!

Project 365

2010-01-19T19:38:00.007-06:00

Last year my Knitter-in-Law had a Project 365. To improve upon her photography skills, she resolved to take 1 picture a day. She then posted them on her blog. If you have time, I suggest looking through them as she has some really amazing pictures. She said at the end that she felt it helped not only her photo-taking abilities and knowledge, but also helped her view things in different perspectives. Or maybe she said she improved her viewing skills and knowledged her differences.
It's been a while since I've read the post.

Either way, I'm stealing the title and some generalities of this project for myself. She's keen so I don't think she'll mind.

I wanted to start off the year with the Couch to 5K program, which knitter-in-law (shocker. - I see a pattern forming) informed me of when I mentioned I had begun walking with the intent to start running. I actually managed to start this before the beginning of the year, but on January 3rd I decided to tackle another task. I took myself off my medication, which was prescribed to me for various reasons which I will not go into, but I recently learned just how horrible this medication was. (bored? want some interesting reading that may encourage you to crusade with me? google Effexor XR and Effexor XR withdrawal... and sign the petition to make Wyeth-Ayert stop telling doctors there are no side effects.) Back to my point: While I am still experiencing withdrawal (mostly brain shocks--today is day 17, in case you were wondering)I have decided that I wanted a Project 365.

Earlier last year I had posted random goings-on and enjoyed it. My Project 365 is starting January 15th, because it's my project and that is when I started. (with the exception of one from the 4th; I just can't get the image out of my head.)

I say now as a disclaimer for the entire project: This is non-judgmental. If you feel that by posting that I saw a man in a woman's blouse with a hot pink faux pearl necklace wearing a hot pink bra is somehow judgmental and mean, than you should stop reading for the year. Because I saw it. That was your January 4th P365 posting.

I also would like to take this opportunity to apologize for any lame "I didn't leave the house so here's another post on something my cat/fish/husband did."

Also, I may post pictures if I felt the need to take one, but I in no way intend to completely steal from my knitter-in-law.

That is all.

(Postings of January 15th through the 19th coming soon.)

2009-12-10T16:00:00.001-06:00

Dead Fishy

2009-11-25T15:01:00.003-06:00

My new fishy died. While he was still new. He only lasted 5 days, which has to be the shortest time frame anyone over the age of 12 has kept a fish alive. So I has a new fishy. Meet Ryuk Ni (ni means 2 in Japanese... I took a lesson from the Simpsons and their cat and then made it Japanese)

As you can see, the cat likes him, too.

Ryuk Ni is far more active than Ryuk (Ichi, I guess). He has also learned things, for instance, he knows where the hole he gets fed through is and if he swims up to it and stares at it, I will feel bad and feed him.

Also, he makes cute fishy faces at me.

So far, he's lived longer than the other one. We'll see how this goes.

I has a fish.

2009-11-11T18:42:00.004-06:00

His name is Ryuk (named for a character from the anime series Death Note. Ryuk is a Shinigami, or Angel of Death, who likes apples).

He came right up to me. I was searching through all the little Betta Bowls looking for a blue Crown Tail Betta and all the others would (try to) swim away (not very far.. these were 1 liter bowls) except this little guy (a red Crown Tail Betta). So I picked him up and told him his name. He swished his tail and swam in a happy little circle. I had already picked out the tank, but was unsure of the gravel. I set white gravel on one side of his bowl and black gravel on the other side. He chose black.

He's very happy and really likes freeze dried blood worms. Disgusting! But it is fun to watch him attack them (even though they are dead, he still attacks them.) And it's interesting to see him swim to the top and breathe air. Yes, Bettas breathe air--with their mouth. They can't live off of it, but they like to do it.

(He had just taken a breath. I missed the actual taking of said breath.)

Here fishy fishy fishy...

2009-10-27T16:14:00.007-05:00

I have an urge to get another pet. Not the first time I've had the urge, but I really REALLY want another pet.

After a bit of thought, and goofing off on the internet, I decided I want this little guy...

I want to put him on my desk at work and call him Ryuk.

He's a betta fish. They're small, easy to take care of, and you can put a plant (with white roots) on top of the bowl/tank and make it even prettier. But I found the tank I want, too, and it doesn't have a spot for the plant on top. (view this site to find out more about making your own betta fish vase.)

But I can't have this little guy at work. So I want him at home. Or something equally cute. Or fun. Or something.

In God's Timing...

2009-10-21T08:59:00.002-05:00

3 1/2 weeks ago, we told our houseguest that she needed to find somewhere else to go within the next 2 weeks since nothing was happening.

The Monday after the weekend she was supposed to be out, she told us she had found a place that was willing to work with her on rent, but she couldn't move in until the following weekend. We extended our deadline.

Since that time she has:

Gotten a full-time stable job

Finished a program to have her drivers license reinstated

Received her son's birth certificate (she has been waiting for this for 8 weeks)

Rented a storage unit for her stuff

Is trying to set herself up to be able to get her own place soon.

Thank you, God, for not being limited by my own selfishness and timeline. And for having everything fall into place when I didn't think I could handle any more.

She has most of her stuff out of the house, and will be staying the night tonight, and leaving keys when she heads out to work tomorrow morning.

The world is run by the cute.

2009-10-19T09:14:00.003-05:00

So says Happy Bunny.

I'm behind. I don't even remember everything I have to post, and I wouldn't have time to post it all even if I did remember.

Just wanted to say hi.

Our roommate is NOT gone yet. When she called the other night to say she wouldn't be home she said she couldn't get ahold of the guy who was going to rent her the room so "it will probably be next weekend, if that's ok" to which we replied "We can talk about it."

We told her she has to be out Wednesday. I have no real hope for that as it seems as though Heath doesn't mind giving her more time if she needs it. I, on the other hand, am not. It's only natural that she develop a crush on the guy who is being nice to her and helping her through a tough time, and I'm fine with it, for a little while, but we're going on 10 weeks here and that is just too long to live so close with someone who has a crush on your husband.

Work is still good. Busy.

That's all for now.

TTFN

September?

2009-09-12T18:30:00.002-05:00

When did that happen? Where did my summer go?

We still have our house guests, with no sign of them ever leaving. Still not on the waiting list for the apartment with Shelter Care Ministries and now her wages have gone DOWN.
Apparently, the company is being bought and the new owners have decided they don't need to pay hourly wages, people can work for tips only... in a place where they don't get alot of business, so there's not alot of tips, either. When you employ illegal immigrants, you can get away with this because nobody will turn you in. These people are working hard and whether they are illegal or not, everyone there is treated like slave labor. Sad.

On the upside, I got her an interview and a restaraunt on Monday. This one is closer to our house and definitely not the type to TOTALLY screw an employee over. The hiring manager seemed pretty excited to have a prospect. Keep her in your prayers.

I have purchased the domain tailoredtohire.com and planned on having it up and running by now. It's not up and running. But with good reason. I am working on a website for my boss, who is running for Illinois State Representative. Pretty exciting since I know absolutely nothing about politics. Since Heath is now out of the hospital and healing nicely, I have devoted all my spare time to this website. I have learned all sorts of new things and am excited to be able to use a lot of it for my tailoredtohire page. I am currently working on getting his announcement speech on his site (electjimthompson.com) but am having some difficulty. Ok, a lot of difficulty. 7 hours last night (I kept falling asleep for a few minutes, then waking up and trying something new that wouldn't work and then starting over again) I finally gave up and shut it down ... well... I don't know. The last time I really looked at the clock was 1:30. I have been working on it about 3 hours today. I have checked the coding and am positive it is done correctly. Heath finally mentioned that maybe our Host Server doesn't have the option to play video turned on. Wish he would have brought that to my attention oh, say 24 hours ago. I am trying to go through photobucket until we get that resolved. I'm not using my Picassa account because that puts the account information on the video and that's not very professional. Hopefully photobucket doesn't do the same. We'll find out shortly.

So, there you have it. That is where I have disappeared to this week. And probably most of next. I was honored to have him ask me to write it and to be able to support him as I agree with the views I have heard him express in my almost year of employment with him. Also excited to attend all the political shindigs that I never thought I would ever be interested in. Amazing what being involved will do for a person.

Sleeping at work.

2009-09-02T13:26:00.002-05:00

ER at 2:15 am Tuesday morning. All day and night in hospital. Was home for 4 minutes to change and forget to brush my teeth and now I'm at work. Yeah. I'm ready for a vacation.

Dena... I have a phone. It works, most of the time. Nifty for ordering Mary Kay. =D

Did that really happen?

2009-08-29T16:46:00.005-05:00

Week 1) We got guests.
I received a call at work a couple of weeks ago from a young woman I know through the church. I wasn't able to answer right away, so she left a voice mail that went something like this:
"I don't remember your brothers number and I was wondering if you could help me. My boyfriend and I got into a fight last night. He's in jail and now I'm homeless."
I immediately made some phone calls and later that day, she moved in, along with her just-turned-3-year-old son.
Turns out, they live with her boyfriends mother. When he went to jail, she realized she lost her drinking buddy and decided to kick out this young woman and her 3 year old son. She was a bit bruised and scratched up when she came to us, but she seems to be doing well.
If you wish to help, my amazing husband called up my amazing pastor-brother and you can send any amount (every dollar helps) to Souls Harbor Church c/o Rocio 2802 11th Street, Rockford IL 61109. She is looking for a full time job as her current job leaves her with less than $60.00 a month for housing and utilities, and Rockford Housing and Shelter Care Ministries both have a very large waiting list. We also accept prayers.

Week 2) We got sick.
A summer cold that knocked us on our... bottoms. I actually ended up taking a little bit of time off of work (I went in for 2 hours, then got sent home).

Week 3) Heath got surgery.
That's right. His first ever. Woke up around 2:00 am in excruciating pain. After researching on the good ole internet I found that it was most likely his gallbladder. I urged him to go to the ER, but of course, he didn't. He actually went in to work the next day (neither of us got any sleep after that) and they sent him to the doctor. Who sent him to the clinic, who sent him to the hospital, who sent him to the clinic, who had him admitted to the hospital right away.
Apparently, he had a 15/16" diameter gallstone and a severe gallbladder infection.
Surgery was tentatively scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, and they got him in at 10:00 p.m. Tuesday.
All is well now. He's home and resting. Funny how God works. He needed some quiet time to relax and heal and our houseguests went out of town this weekend.

Dear God,
I'm tired.
Love, Wanda.

Also, TailoredToHire.com - coming soon!

I jumped out of a plane...

2009-08-01T14:38:00.004-05:00

I did it. I want to do it again. Tomorrow sound good to anyone?

I went skydiving. I decided to go about 2 months ago, and have talked myself out of it several times since. I'm glad I kept talking myself back into it. It was not at all like I expected. It was cold, uncomfortable, and I had a blast!

Forget everything you think it would be like (except the windy bit). There's no "I'm afraid of heights; it's too high!" there's no "I'm falling!" No ground rush. The biggest issue I faced was remembering that I could, in fact, breathe despite the bitter cold, 122 mph wind in my face. I could have jumped out the plane myself without being pushed. Heath agreed, and he's afraid of heights. I recommend this past-time. I especially recommend Midwest Sky Dive.

You guys were great!

Here I am with my instructor/parachuteman while he makes final adjustments on his equipment; and being led by him to the plane.

Here is the first plane I've ever been on taking off (with Heath and I in it).

and I didn't even get to land in it.

Here are people falling.

Here is Heath falling.

Really... that's Heath!!!

Here is me falling!

Really... that's Me!!!

So... seriously, when can I go again?

Rockin' the Skies

2009-07-31T10:45:00.003-05:00

Skydiving was incredible! Amazing! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Pictures to come!!!

Birthdays and Stuff

2009-06-28T21:34:00.002-05:00

Thanks, mom, for the happy birthday magnetic fun. I know you don't live in Janesville, the fridge can be tricky like that.

It was a... nice day... but I'm glad it's over.

I've been busy with work and enjoying the sunny-ness (as my eccentric "farmers tan" shows)... not so much with the posting.

But don't fret you none; I have notes! All those posts I was planning on writing but haven't will probably show in list form in the near future. Please, try to contain your excitement.

Chey's big day.

2009-06-02T09:21:00.004-05:00

Last weekend we decided to let the cat venture off the deck. We have been keeping him out of the grass as he likes to eat it then throw up all over our house. However, after reading up on why cats eat something poisonous to them, I discovered they actually do it for health reasons (furballs, upset stomachs, eating disor... no that's models). Anyway, after throwing up a few times, I took him exploring around the yard.

He likes trees

and stalking Heath

and rocks.

he really likes rocks.

Really likes rocks.

Hooray Kitty!

Skydiving

2009-05-24T08:15:00.004-05:00

Yes. It's true. I'm going skydiving!

Something I have always thought about doing, but never really thought I would do. Now I have the opportunity.

For those of you who are worried, perhaps a little reading to ease your fears. We are going through Midwest Skydive. Their website is skydivemidest.com. I wasn't sure if I really "wanted" to do this, or just wanted to do it until I read up on it more. Now I can't wait!

Sorry, mom and dad.

From my Superhero Sister:

2009-05-22T08:35:00.001-05:00

A Message From My Superhero Sister: (Read the comments section)

This week...

2009-05-16T11:37:00.007-05:00

I am being groomed for management; and I like it. This week: Corporation, LLC, and Not-for Profit Annual Reports. Simple forms to fill out and a good start to learning business law.

This last week went by quickly; though my latest project is going well.
This week I saw:

Note the red light... I was stopped when I took this picture.

A jeep that made me smile. I felt appreciation?... admiration?... for this expression of joy. I don't know their reasoning for this. Maybe they bought it that way and never changed it. Maybe they are really happy and wanted to let people know. Whatever the reason, I have to believe they have made more than just me smile at that. I may be sarcastic and annoyed, but I am happy; and happy to see other people happy.

I also saw this:

Cute little chipmunk when I pulled into my driveway. Staring at me like he was completely innocent before running down a hole where my sidewalk meets my driveway. He's not as innocent as he (she? I didn't look; couldn't figure out how to explain to a chipmunk and my neighbors that I was just curious) looks. Be careful if you ever visit me... the sidewalk might cave in on you from the holes this (adorable) little rodent is digging under it.

I don't have pictures, but has anybody else ever notice just how pretty and peaceful the cemetery on Auburn and Main Street is? I've paid a lot of attention to the trees and grass blooming in this cemetery for the last few months; and have come to appreciate the beauty and tranquility that appears to be out of place at this busy, loud intersection.

Staring out the window at work this week, I watched two little boys who live in a nearby house playing basketball. It was a child sized, plastic basketball hoop and the oldest boy (maybe 7 years) could reach the top of the rim. The youngest boy (maybe 3 or 4 years) was about the height of the bottom of the netting. I watched the older brother help the younger brother hold and throw smaller sized basketball. Kids are cute when they're not screaming and yelling.

I still watch the fireman come and go and do various things outside during the day. I plan on stopping by sometime this summer with some treats. Of course, I have been saying that for a couple of months now, but I would like to show support somehow. And say thanks for entertaining me during the weekdays.

Ma, Ma, Mom, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy

2009-05-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Mothers Day!

Did I just see that?

2009-05-10T17:50:00.007-05:00

I recently became inspired to be better at... well, everything. Looking for ways to improve my smart-ness (I'm guessing using the word smart-ness is not a very smart thing to do), as well as skills, I began watching other people more; and what I found was humorous, gross, and sad. One of my goals is to improve my grammar and writing skills, which means I need to write more, which means I need things to write about. (I'm off to a great start [sigh])
So today, I bring you "Did I just see that?":

Things I saw:
4/28/09 - Tuesday
A gentleman in a very professional gray suit clipping his nails while walking across a parking lot. A large stack of papers filled his left arm, while he focused intently on those nails. He suddenly stopped in the middle of the parking lot, to focus more, I suppose; as though there is nothing strange about a well-dressed man clipping his nails in public. - When did this particular act of grooming become acceptable to do in public? I have had (and do have) bosses who do this in their offices during the work day, and I would just like to say to my husband's current and any future assistant that if he ever become the type of man to clip his nails while sitting in his office, you have my permission to throw the clippers away.

An attorney return from court wearing an "I do it for the cookies" sticker. He gave blood. - Thank you for giving blood. You're keen.

4/29/09 - Wednesday
3 cute old men play cards at the U-Club. - My bosses took us to lunch there, a week late due to vacations and court and such, for Administrative Assistants Day. It was enjoyable. The old men were cute and fun to listen to.

4/30/09 - Thursday
A 4'something girl jump onto a bicycle being pedaled by a 6'something guy, who swerves to throw her off, only to be beaten by the girl. - Yeah! "The bigger they come, the harder they fall!"

5/1/09 - Friday
Fireman sweeping out their garage. - Did you know that they have "chores" that have to be done on certain days. On Friday's, the firestation down the street from my work has to sweep out their garage. They did a good job. Firemen are keen.

Our neighbors selling 8 adult bikes at a garage sale.

5/2/09 - Saturday
What would have been the perfect commercial for Subaru.
On our way to Madison we passed a light green and beige Outback. Inside was a 30-something brunette.
Approximately 10 minutes later we came upon another light green and beige Outback. Assuming the 30-something had somehow passed us again, I was only glancing in her direction when I did a double take: same car, but the brunette inside was perhaps 10 to 15 years older than the lady we had previously passed.

5/3/09 - Sunday
Cow in a wedding dress. Or was it a spotted dog? It was hard to tell; it was in a wedding dress. - A stuffed animal purchased at a garage sale for my neice, and she loved it.

5/4/09 - Monday
Today I saw a man shaving, while driving, and smoking a cigarette.

Since nothing last week topped the multi-tasking man I saw on Monday, and since I was super busy at work, I have nothing more to post on this topic.
Have a great and eventful week!

More May-ziness

2009-05-08T13:31:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Super-hero Sister Dena!

May-ziness

2009-05-07T13:33:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

NinjaCat Sparta

2009-05-02T16:31:00.001-05:00

Spring has Sprung!

2009-04-26T18:02:00.007-05:00

Last weekend, Cheyenne enjoyed his first day outside this year and I was able to remove enough fur with my defurring tool to create another cat.

Considering his newfound spot-of-choice this winter, I'm glad its Spring.

Cat in the dryer.

Despite my run-in with the soap, the job is going well.
Firemen honk at me all day...

Fire Station one block away from the window I look out.

Well, I like to pretend they are honking at me. It makes me feel pretty. The mail lady told one of the shifts this, and I believe I can tell when that shift is working based on how much they honk when they are at the corner outside this window.

I work a few minutes from the river and love to head there for lunch.

The job is going well. I just had my review and was very happy with everything that was said. Plus, I got a raise, so bonus! I really enjoy the down-to-earthedness of my bosses, and their sense-of-humor(s).

I think the real surprise was the phone call I received yesterday (Saturday) at home. My husband answered the phone and quietly told me "I'm not sure if it's Big Don or Little Don (i.e. Senior Partner or his son), but he sounds grumpy." Without hesitation I informed him that would be Big Don (he always sounds grumpy. I took the phone while my heart played out its own version of Flight of the Bumblebee. Why was El Senior Jefe (as another partner refers to him) calling me at home on a Saturday?!?
I managed to calm my voice as I said hello. Big Don wasted no time in getting to the point....
"Wanda! We have two tickets to the symphony tonight that we can't use. Would you like to go?"
I politely refused the tickets (it was too last minute for us) and thanked him. How cool is that.

Happy Spring!

I had a run-in with the soap...

2009-03-26T16:30:00.000-05:00

Despite the "yearly bath" jokes I am bound to elicit, this story needs to be shared.

A while ago, we ran out of liquid soap in the liquid soap dispenser in the girls bathroom at work. Our supplier was bought out and the new owners are unwilling to cross-reference numbers to search for our refill. We girls have been bringing in our bath and body works specials for a couple of weeks now, and I finally decided that there is no reason that we couldn't buy some at the local soap-ateria and refill it ourselves.

After a quick trip to pick up the soap, I marched into the bathroom and prepared to refill. I started slow, as any fairly intelligent person would, making sure everything looked ok. I poured the soap directly into the hole in the first compartment (the "refill" part that we would purchase full of soap) and watched the soap slide down to the second compartment where it could be dispensed by pushing in the lever located toward the bottom of the dispenser. All worked well, but it was a slow process.

After I decided that this was definitely working, and since the top compartment used to arrive full of soap, I decided to go ahead and fill the top compartment with the store bought soap and leave it to funnel down on its own.

And it did. It began filling the second compartment nicely, just I had planned.

What I had not planned, was the fountain of soap now spilling down the mirror. About an inch thick and as wide as the soap dispenser. I thought that perhaps the top portion had an overflow and I had overfilled it and it would stop once it got past that point. It didn't. As I tried catching as much of the soap in the soap bottle as I could, I realized this was not going to stop. The flowing fountain of soap was clearly out of control and we were low on paper towels in the bathroom.

I ran to the office in search of more paper towels laughing so hard I drew the attention of the receptionist and one of the partners. When questions, all I could respond was "It won't stop!" Since the receptionist new of my endeavors, she quickly figured out I was referring to the soap.

I managed to clean up the initial mess, and with the bathroom (and my hands) smelling strongly of SoftSoap(r) I returned to the office and informed the staff that there was still a small drip, but it should subside shortly.

3 1/2 hours later, I think it is done.

The partner announced that he would be sure I never had to be backup maintenance person; the ladies thanked me for making the bathroom smell pretty; and the antibacterial soap on my hands should last for about a week.

Evil Kitty

2009-03-10T13:41:00.003-05:00

Who knew playing Zuma could be so scary.

"Now I know what you would be like as a meth addict"

2009-02-12T08:35:00.006-06:00

"Now I know what you would be like as a meth addict." -Heath 2009, said to his wife after she had to cut her medication dosage in half.

I have newfound understanding and sympathy for people with addictions.

About two weeks ago I started having reactions to my medication. An indescribable sensation closely akin to having my brain electrocuted at the slightest movement. At every slightest movement. The closest I have been able to describe this as is the feeling of touching a live wire, with your brain. It was accompanied by a "shink" sound in my head. While the sensation was very quick, it sometimes came in twos or threes, depending on the intensity of movement. After much research on the internet, I found that it was a common "withdrawal" symptom of my medication, even though I was still taking my medication. (I also found that under no circumstance am I to suddenly stop taking this medication. A gradual decrease in dosage must be followed to alleviate the risk of seizure and in some rare instances, sudden death. Peachy!).

After contacting my doctor, I was actually relieved to hear he had heard of this before (as most of the medical blogs were full of self-help forums for people whose doctor's had not heard of this and after several MRI's and other brain scans/tests could find no cause or reason to believe this was real). Not only had he heard of it, but he had heard of it as a side-effect as well as a withdrawal symptom. He immediately called in a new, lower-dose prescriptions to my local pharma-teria.

Mere hours after my taking my first pill from the new prescription (half the dosage I was used to) withdrawal set in. From uncontrollable shaking, to the meth-addict squirrel-iness. Episodes of muscle spasms and an uncontrollable urge to... well, just move... and hold no clear or logical conversation were probably the most noticeable of these aforemention withdrawal effects.

Now, nearly two weeks after it all started, I am finally able to work an entire day and remember it. I no longer have the urge to return to the higher dosage, either.

However, with my mood being what it was, I did get some pretty great shots with the camera. Like this tree, located on Roscoe Road. I have loved this tree since the first time I saw it without its leaves. The branches are thick and trail off into an unusual pattern that catches my attention every time I see a tree like this.

Every morning I go to work, this van is parked on one of the side streets. It is occupied by a homeless person. I have never had the opportunity to speak to him. I feel this shot, taken one foggy, rainy morning when I was still going through withdrawal, was symbolic for both of our current situations. So I took it in black and white.

And this one...

Cheyenne, watching a piece of paper blow by our window.

This picture was pretty much just me, messing around with my camera. I really like it.

For now, I am still taking it easy and will hopefully be getting over this cold my co-workers shared with me. Hope all is well with the rest of you.

More Birthdays!

2009-01-26T20:11:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Kathy!!!

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone! Year of the Earth Ox. Ok.

I was looking more closely at my blog tonight (someone found my blog by googling happy hippo ice scraper) and found that I dropped from 62 posts in 2007 to 38 posts in 2008. That's just sad. So. I've decided to try and do better this year. Which reminded me of something else:

My first real job was in a small office and, having worked there for 7 years, the owners friends became my friends. After I got married, one of their friends gave me some marital advice. He said "The way to make sure you're marriage doesn't degrade over the years is to put a jar under the bed. Every time you (and here I turned bright red and everyone had a good laugh) have marital relations with your husband, put a jelly bean in the jar. The next year, put another jar under the bed and every time you have marital relations, move a jelly bean from the first jar to the second jar. At the end of the year all the jelly beans should be moved to the second jar. And do that every year, making sure all the jelly beans move to the next jar." Of course, this became a big joke. He moved to Florida and every time he called he would ask how the jars were doing and I would tell him that the city of Rockford was out of jelly beans and could he please send more.

Yeah. Good times.
(sorry mom; dad; grandma)

Dear Jerry,
SEND MORE JELLY BEANS!

Since my last post:

2009-01-25T14:00:00.013-06:00

It was colder here than at the North Pole;

Yes, that does read Outside Temp -19

My brother called me a yuppie (again) (apparently, Two Subarus, two Columbian coats, and a Laptop Desk = Yuppie);

I found my mailbox;

It is still light out when I leave work;

Mom and Dad celebrated their 38th anniversary;

I turned my keys in to Mary. (Thanks, Little Don!) That feels good. It's like a cloud of oppression has been lifted. Two bad things in my life have been let go and replaced with a good job with people who are good influences. More like the kind of people I want to be;

and Alyssa had a birthday. (actually, that's today. Happy Birthday, Alyssa!)

I'm happier than I have been in a few years, and to express the happy/adorable-things-make-me-smileness of it all, here's a picture of Cheyenne, curled up all cute in my lap:

Up and Running

2009-01-10T21:12:00.002-06:00

My Mary Kay page is finally up and running. It is not very pretty, but I'll keep working on that. It lists current in stock items, and will list any sales or coupons I have. Just go to heathnwanda.com and click on my page. The link my Mary Kay page is there.

Dena, Dena, Bo Bena

2009-01-08T18:49:00.005-06:00

So much to write, so little time to write it in.
First off, a Wanda sells Mary Kay update... check back this weekend for a link to my Mary Kay site. This will be attached the the heathnwanda.com webpage. I will list my sales there, along with products in stock and other potentially useful information. I plan on having a lot of sales. I have a lot of great ideas!! Some could be beneficial in ways other than discounts, too, so be sure to check back.

Second, the reason for making myself sit down for a few seconds and blog (not that I don't want to write something for ya'll to read, but I have so many ideas I need to start on them now!!):

I NEED YOUR CANS!

Well, I don't need your cans, but my brilliant sister does. She has been collecting cans and using the money for college!!!! BRILLIANT! What a great way to use resources, not make Alaska cry, AND further your education. And to do it while raising a family!?!?! My sister is a SUPERHERO! I think this is such a great idea that I am asking all of you to help! Anybody who is interested in donating to this great cause, please email me at HDTenshi2@aol.com, or reply to this post!
Thanks!
Now, back to work!!!

My Mary Kay® Sale!

2008-12-21T13:28:00.004-06:00

Click to supersize (and read)

Christmas Cops

2008-12-21T13:19:00.003-06:00

Thanks to my mom and dad, I know that the weather is wreaking havoc on roads, alarm systems, and mobile computer systems. And I'm enjoying every minute of it. Or hour of it, in this case. I have had this scanner since yesterday late morning/early afternoon and have not been able to put it down for any significant amount of time. Except when I was trying to sleep, and that was only because it kept waking me up.

The Christmas party was fun, though we all missed grandma. Mike, Jen, their baby-in-the-making, and Jacob showed up at the very end and while his white elephant gift was mighty good (the exact same box of cheerios he received as a white elephant gift last year wrapped in an uncountable amount of plastic bags and duct tape), I think dad's white elephant topped them all. A hard hat filled with random items; and by random items I mean we think he had cleaned out his truck and used his hard hat to place the small items he was bringing in, then just decided to wrap it as a white elephant gift. Lots of fun!

I didn't make it to church today as the wind, snow, and arctic cold we are having made even my car barely drivable. I hope that all who have to travel today are well and safe.

Thanks to all who showed up and for everything everyone brought. While gifts are nice (I can't believe how many fire alarms have gone off in the last hour), I can honestly say that the time spent hanging out is far more enjoyable than anything I received. To my family - I love you all and look forward to many more family gatherings. Thanks to making yesterday an enjoyable day!

Blog-ness

2008-12-19T14:49:00.006-06:00

In case you haven't heard, I am now selling Mary Kay®. Mostly, so I can get stuff cheap. I don't want to do shows, but if you would like to purchase something or view a catalog, or know somebody who may want to purchase something or view a catalog, please let me know. Or them. Know about me, that is. Because I have all of this to sell:

That includes a lot of eyeshadow and blush:

What was I thinking?

Blame it on Christmas, I guess. Best holiday ever! Pretty and colorful. Like this little guy

He lights up and changes colors. Crazy adorable!

Christmas is the best. And it's almost here! And Heath's boss, who generously shares his business' profit with the staff, called me the other day and I absolutely cannot wait for Heath to get this gift! Lots to look forward to! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

"Dad, did you bring a saw?"

2008-12-19T14:21:00.008-06:00

Anybody interested in buying a snowblower? It is two... maybe three years old and never been used.

For those of you that know us, you know that I love my husband; he's not lazy, he spoils me (for the most part) and is truly a great guy. With that being said...

As you may recall last year was near record breaking snowy and this year is predicted to be worse. Unfortunately, during the snowy-ness I have been the one at home and therefore, the one doing snow removal. I was told that we really can't use the snowblower until it has a checkup.

Here it sits. Next to the shovel that I was using...

...for 2 1/2 hours. Unlike my neighbors. They all had snowblowers they could use. It was a steady stream of snowblowing usage; a snowblower symphony for me to enjoy while shoveling the heavy, deep snow. For 2 1/2 hours.

'Nough said.

To my nephew:

2008-12-01T22:50:00.000-06:00

Dear Aaron,
I would normally wish you a happy birthday, since it was your birthday, but instead I must insist that you cease having birthdays. Not only does it make me feel old, but apparently it likes to snow on your birthday. Alot. And people are stupid when it snows. I offer up the following pictures of my morning drive to work as proof:

I just wonder how that many people ended up in the ditch when we were only going 10 mph.

And this road wasn't even that bad!!!

So, Aaron, I hope you like snow, because it seems to like you.
Oh, and Happy Birthday

Don't make the nice little girl start biting off heads

2008-11-29T13:47:00.002-06:00

Hey everybody! I'm back! New job, new friends, less stress!
That's right. You know that old saying about not worrying about the friends you had in the past, there's a reason they didn't make it to your future. Turns out, it's true.

And also, Mean People Suck.

On another note, I started selling Mary Kay. I don't do shows, but I sell the product. The moisturizing stuff is great!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Expect more from me soon!

Happy Anniversary!

2008-10-05T16:33:00.005-05:00

10 years! WooHoo!
This is apparently the countertop anniversary...

Its quartz. Less damaging than granite, and it looks just as nice! (I think)
We chose the rounded edging, which I like more than I thought I would...

And we got the undermounted sink with it...

Yeah, my husband is pretty keen.
And he had a birthday.
Happy Birthday Heath.

Eres un congrejo

2008-09-21T13:59:00.007-05:00

My name is Lucy and I have some 'splaining to do.
First off, I'm a crab.

This is me in my home on Wanda's desk:
I like it here.
It's very entertaining and I'm very popular.
I like being popular; except when people wake me up so that I'll swim around for them. But I'm getting used to that.

I really like being on Wanda's desk mostly because of the attention I get, but also because I learn a lot. I'm learning Spanish; and just the other day I learned what a Yoda was. One of her friends started calling her Yoda.
I didn't know what a Yoda was, so I looked it up.
I found this:

Other than the height, I see no resemblance.

So, I asked why she was being called Yoda. They said because she was smart. This seemed to embarrass Wanda, and she denied it. I don't know what smart is, so I just swam around in my bowl.

It wasn't always so great here, though.
At first I was afraid. Wanda informed me that I was being purchased as the office pet because there were a lot of changes going on and everyone was stressed out. She thought I would cheer everyone up with my crabbyness.

I don't follow her logic.

Then it got even worse. I saw my deskmate.
No, not Wanda.
This guy:

What's with the pimp hat?

She tried explaining it to me. Something about a present from a secret in the office for a holiday with a tree. Again, I'm not sure I understand.
Wanda said that her and another girl, who was no longer there, decided to dress him up for the season. Maybe I'll be safe as long as that other girl doesn't come back.
That hula skirt sent me into anaphylactic shock.

Anyway, Wanda mentioned that she hadn't had time to write a post for her blog in a while, so I decided to do it for her, since she has been around the office a lot more than usual. She seems to be busy because her attorney only comes in the office a couple of times a week. She's always wearing some sort of thick cloth slung over her shoulder that makes little crying noises, and she always drops off so much paperwork that you can barely find Wanda's desk when she's done!
I'm watching out for her, though. She is doing great and we are having a good time.

Well, back to my bowl for now to learn more about things like lumbar strains and the circuits in the courts.
<3 Lucy

I have a what?

2008-09-14T20:20:00.001-05:00

A blog? Ohhhh right, that thing.

I'll get back to you on that.

Latter Days

2008-07-27T18:13:00.006-05:00

1. My bag.

Made by my talented sister-in-law, Sarah. I love it! Thank you!

It holds all of my stuff! And it's pretty!

2. Baby showers and donuts (not the edible kind)
There are two ladies in my office who are pregnant, one of which is the attorney I assist. They're both due within 2 days of each other at the end of August.
Thursday evening was their office baby shower. Dinner, presents, games.
As I was pulling out of the parking garage I hear a loud, repetitive ticking/flumphing sound.

ti..flumph..ck

So I pull into the the side garage to not-so-surprisingly discover a flat tire that I am surprisingly not too upset about.

The culprit:

I called my husband and after the usual "How was your day" "Are you working late" I informed him, nonchalantly, that I had a flat tire.

To which he replied "When? Now?" Ummmmmm......

He then proceeded to heroically drive down to rescue me. Not that I can't change a tire, but he did insist he had a full size spare (which he didn't) and considering he had to stand on the tiny tire iron to get it to move, I don't believe I would have been able to change THIS tire.

While he was changing my tire, we saw this:

Ouch. I have no idea what happened.

So, I drove home on my little donut spare and my wonderful husband traded me cars the next day and had everything taken care of by the time I got home the next day. I'm spoiled and I love it!

3. The neighborhood kids scream. Alot. This bothers me in several ways. The obvious is that it's annoying. The second is this: What happens when that child is really hurt or in trouble and tries screaming? We are so used to that child screaming that nobody will think twice or even glance to see if there is a problem. I have a lot of respect for parents who teach their kids that they shouldn't run around screaming for these two reasons. I wish more would do it.

two birthdays, a holiday, and more painting?

2008-07-06T20:46:00.004-05:00

Here it is at last. My sister-in-law's birthday post. I'm late because.... I want it to be special and stand out from everyone else's? Ok, it's because I'm lazy.

Happy birthday, Sarah. Since your domestic skills are too many to list, I will simply state that you have done well with the food pantry and I appreciate everything you bring to this family.

Also, you have a great birthdate; as it is also my own. It's such a great day that animals came from all over to wish me a happy birthday.

Including her. She waited in a perfect picture taking pose in my backyard while I ran around frantically searching for my camera. After I found my camera, she was so happy for me that she began prancing around the backyard, pausing long enough for me to get this shot before darting into the veritable jungle behind my neighbors fence.

On the morning of my birthday, a baby bird visited our window well to wish me happy birthday, and had to be rescued out of said window well by my husband. And, of course, who could forget the chipmunks who realized it was a great day and therefore, lounged around themselves....

I hope everyone had a good Independence Day. Mine consisted of painting. I figured that I hadn't done enough of that these past few years and needed more practice.... Anyway, our room is now a calm soothing green somewhere between mint and sage. Pretty. Though, our bedding hasn't come in yet. The current blue bedding makes the room considerably less soothing and more of an unfinished tensy sort of feel. I will be very happy when the bedding comes in.

Also, if anyone has a pair of dark brown or black dress shoes size 12 wide or 13 regular that they are getting rid of, please let me know. Thanks!

Feliz Dias Del Padres y Feliz Cumpleanos, Hermano

2008-06-15T15:18:00.003-05:00

Happy Father's Day, dad!

Thank you for always adding humor, for your willingness to help us when we were finally ready to ask for it, for you and mom making sure all of our holidays were great, and for waking me up on Saturday mornings joking and loudly singing country music... which I believe I may have yelled at you to be quiet for, but I now appreciate the funness you were trying to share.

Ohh..wait... the cat is taking over the keyboard...

4jdi*mb ckae( jil;a$1e

I think that's cat for Happy Father's Day. Or it's a message to the rest of the cats who are planning on taking over the world.

Happy Birthday to my brother. You're a good pastor, friend, and father. Thanks for encouraging me and sharing my vision for the job search program!

Anybody want to buy strawberries? Yummy strawberries!

I blame Kathy

2008-06-11T20:21:00.003-05:00

I hadn't checked my sister-in-law's blog lately, so I decided to. I was not so shocked to find that she scored a -9 on the 30's housewife quiz. I have always thought that I would have made a great 50's housewife, not quite Donna Reed, but generalistically speaking. So I thought I'd give this quiz a shot.

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

Hmmm.... Kathy, we are two very different people! But I think you rock, anyway! Love ya, sis-in-law!

Another Late Post

2008-06-08T15:17:00.003-05:00

I wouldn't be surprised if it were the man himself who beat me to this, but:

Happy Birthday, Dad! (which was yesterday) To a man who can grow anything, anytime, anywhere; whose endless supply of jokes can induce an eye-rolling smile everytime; and who taught me by example a work ethic that has gotten me a good job with good pay, I hope you had a great day.

I was going to attempt to make it out to see you, but I didn't. I didn't attend my CPR class either, so please don't choke.

Good news is I'm on my way to sleepful nights.

Swedish nerf

2008-06-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

I have little to post about this week, so I'll tell you about my new bed.

It's made of swedish nerf. Sort of. It's a Tempurpedic "celebrity" and it came with two pillows as a promotion, also made of swedish nerf.

The salesman did not mark down that they were supposed to deliver the mattress with the boxspring and pillows, so I spent a day with a lovely, queen sized boxspring in my living room. Good times.

But it's here. It's weird, comfy, and who knows, maybe I'll sleep more than three hours a night (that's three interrupted hours... not straight). Or maybe I just forgot how to do that since it's been so long.

Also, today was a beautiful day.

Picture-rific

2008-05-26T10:34:00.029-05:00

Despite my husband's food poisoning Monday night, his sore back all week, my allergies (I was just happy it wasn't a cold, like I originally thought) and the more than slightly chilly weather Wednesday morning; Asheville, North Carolina was a good vacation. Relaxing, romantic, waterfally and mountainy. Arriving at the beautiful Albemarle Inn on Sunday afternoon gave us an evening to explore town and hang out.

The staff was friendly, the Inn was beautiful, and the few other guests were polite. Pretentious, but polite.

Beautiful picture of the lobby area. Behind me is the dining room leading into a beautiful yellow sun room where breakfast was served.

This is the door leading out to the front of the house shown in the first two pictures.

This is the cute little reading area found halfway up to the second floor. We were on the third floor.

We went to the Biltmore estate on Monday, which was amazing. I can't help but to think that there must have been some bitterness amongst the servants after viewing both their living area and the main house. We were not allowed to take pictures inside the house, but it was amazing. Especially the library! It's also interesting how utilitarian the bathrooms were. Purely a necessity. Elaborate in the day they were built, I am sure, but our bathroom is almost nicer than these.

The rest of our trip involved touring the downtown area, similar to Madison as far as the stores lining the main streets, though not quite as collegey and... eccentric... as Madison.

We also visited several antique shops.

And waterfalls.
These two were in the same mountainous area, and although the drive was a bit different than what the book suggested, we were glad we took the trip.

Play me.

After finding the "parking lot", which was actually a dirt-packed area wider than the one lane two-way road we drove up, we hiked about 15 minutes to the next, 80 foot waterfall

Play me, too.

On Thursday, we decided to take one more "waterfall viewing" trip before stopping in Black Mountain to visit more antique shops. This last waterfall was on Mount Mitchell, and could only be viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. In case you haven't heard of the BRP, it is a long stretch of scenic roadway winding through and up the mountains. As we started toward the Parkway, we ran into a detour and followed the interstate about an hour North East before we were able to enter and had to head back South to get to our destination. Mile 361.1 on the Parkway. As we traveled South on the Parkway, stopping at all of the lookouts to view the amazing scenery, we both grew excited at the prospect of the waterfall we were headed to see. This wasn't just a waterfall. This was an estimated 800 foot waterfall winding down Mt. Mitchell. 800 feet! The waterfall above-only 80 feet. Yeah. The word spectacular was running through my mind.
Onward we traveled on this very thin, two lane road. Onward toward the Mt. Mitchell turnoff, at mile 153. Onward toward the sign that read "Road Closure, 1000 ft.; Mt. Mitchell turnoff, 500 ft." Wait. That means the road closes 500 ft after the turnoff to head to the top of Mt. Mitchell. But we're at mile 153! Only 8.1 miles left to go to view the spectacular waterfall!

As we both sat staring at the barricades willing them to not be there, we decided to take the turnoff and travel the rest of the way up the mountain. The tallest mountain in the U.S. East of the Mississippi. The view was amazing. The wind was cold. And now we had to drive an hour North to get off the Parkway, then an hour South to get back to where we needed to be, instead of the 20 minutes South on the closed Parkway to get back to the Interstate. Good thing we had a full tank of gas when we started. And good thing the drive was scenic and beautiful or we might have been more than just frustrated.

I leave you with two last pictures. This one is from the garden on the Biltmore estate: And this one is Dena's tree. Which was also on the Biltmore estate:

Also, whose the genius that let me get a digital camera? These things should not be allowed in my hands. I get carried away.

Country Roads

2008-05-19T20:27:00.011-05:00

I-40 South East from Knoxville to Asheville is one of the most beautiful stretches of road I have seen. Right up there with Albuquerque, NM. But, I don't have pictures of either to post right now.
Instead:
Today we went to the Biltmore Estate.
George Vanderbilt's 250 room home.

We saw a Japanese Lantern plant.

And a waterfall. On the estate. Because when you're that rich, you can own a waterfall.

Hooray for insane amounts of money.

P.S. I LOVE my digital camera!

Feliz Dias De Las Madres

2008-05-11T20:14:00.003-05:00

Or something like that.

Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Almost Vacation day.
The countdown begins. And I would like to say thanx to Jim for staying at the house whilst we are away. And to our guard cat who has bitten several people and is not likely to stop any time soon. And to our friends who own an alarm company and gave us a great deal on a rockin' alarm system.

That about does it for the generalities...

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom. Who Rocks, and, not only can she change a light bulb, but she can also handle a shot gun. And make homemade noodles, and knit a blanket enormous enough for the entire family to use at the same time while sitting on different furniture in the living room.

It's not too late!!!

2008-05-09T13:17:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to Grandma (on the 7th) Who is wonderful for many reasons, not the least of which is that she is 81 years old and can send text messages!! You Rock!

Happy Birthday to Dena (on the 8th) Who is wonderful for many reasons, not the least of which is because she is my sister and that makes anyone cool! Also, she's a great mom. And person. And maybe even an elf.

I love you both!

Hello, my name is "No! No! Bad Dog!"

2008-05-06T20:37:00.005-05:00

Our Office Manager found employment elsewhere. Her position has not been filled, though we did hire a part-timer to help out a little bit. I was using that computer the other afternoon, as it is the only one with a scanner, and fell in love with the keyboard. It was new and had all sorts of extra buttons; volume control and cd player buttons, as well as quick internet buttons. There are two other computers located in the vicinity and as I was working I indicated to the other two ladies that "I love this keybaord! I want this keyboard!" Of course, I was not planning on switching keyboards, as I assumed the part timer enjoyed the newness and useful buttons as well. I went on about my business and never thought more of it... until the next morning when one of the two aforementioned ladies (whom, by the way, has worked in the office little more than a week) came to me and said exactly this: "You know that keyboard you wanted? Well she doesn't want it 'cause it doesn't fit in her drawer, but I tried to hook it up and I don't think you can. It's not a regular plug, it's a weird rectangle thing."

When I informed her that it was probably a usb, she asked if I could help her hook it up. On her computer. Which I did, politely even.

GRRRRRRR

I post like I sleep

2008-04-28T19:39:00.005-05:00

I have been taking melatonin pills for about a week now. I don't think I know how to use them correctly. I still feel like I am falling apart and I still find myself doing and saying things that are neither cohesive, nor anything like me. And I still have yet to break 3.5 hours of sleep in one night.

It's pretty bad when I listen to the neighbors dog bark incessantly for 45 minutes and don't care that it is 2:35 a.m.

On the other hand, last week was Administrative Assistants Day and I got a 10 minute massage from a nice lady who told me I had 'hair-comercial beautiful hair' (and she didn't mind that I was totally uncomfortable...stranger giving me a back massage=awkward), then had lunch at.... that restaurant on Riverside and Main (no sleep=no memory), which was pretty good minus the waitress who kicked me and my chair two inches forward, spilled soda all over the table and some of the food, and came within an inch of elbowing me in the nose. We also received a basket of chocolate. Yum. Chocolate.

Hooray to finally finding a decent job with decent people. (I thought that before the luncheon... anyway...)

Next up vacation!
We head to Asheville, N.C. to stay at Albemarle Inn. The reservations are from May 18th through the 23rd, but if you know us at all, you know I cannot say exactly when we will leave and when we will get back. Especially since our return trip is during a holiday weekend (unknown to us at the time of our planning.) We do enjoy the 3:00 am start and driving in one straight shot, but check in and check out times mean we may do things differently this year.

Insomnia and wet-mop

2008-04-13T19:19:00.004-05:00

In an attempt to be clever (don't look for it, I failed miserably), I looked up the word insomniac in a thesaurus. The word insomniac is actually listed in the list of synonyms. And my brain is too tired to make something funny out of that...

My lack of sleep is making this post difficult. I reread my sentence and found half of it missing. (sigh)

Not having the vast knowledge of herbs and vitamins and their uses as both of my sisters-in-law, I consulted the internet (or interweb, to some people-another story for another time.) only to learn from the 6 websites that I did visit before I angrily threw the pillow and unplugged the laptop, that I am either too stressed, or too mental.

Well, isn't that just peachy. I don't feel stressed. Work is fine. Not work is fine. So according to everything I just read, I'm a mental case!?!? Of course!

I think some guy, possibly named Bob, was sitting around one day, completely bored. He looked over at his friend, Joe, and said "Hey, let's mess with idiots who can't sleep and are already irritable, grumpy, and exhausted. We could put up a bunch of websites telling them they're mental. It'll be great!"

Thanks, Bob. You're freaking swell.

Insanity

2008-04-06T14:56:00.002-05:00

My husband bought 216 Cadbury Eggs.

A moment for that to sink in.

216.

There's really nothing more to say about that.

On top of that, his boss introduced us to U-Bake. They have a location on Perryville just north of Riverside in Rockford. My husband has been raving about this cookie dough since his boss brought them in to work for everyone to try. So, we finally went. We stayed at the first freezer, which was cookie dough with stuff in the middle. We purchased two of the chocolate chip with a chocolate middle, a chocolate cookie with peanut butter in the middle, and the "turtle"- a chocolate cookie with carmel and some nuts in the middle. There is 1 dozen per bag. I cannot say enough about this stuff. We ate the first chocolate chip dough without cooking it. We decided to bake 6 of the turtles, which we didn't think cookies could get any better, then decided to try the dough for the turtles and realized that it did get better. Then we ate the peanut butter dough. We have one dozen left and I would be worried about getting back to the store before we run out were it not for the 216 cadbury eggs.

216.

Statement of the week...

2008-03-22T20:56:00.002-05:00

"She just called me. I forgot to answer the phone, or something."

And on that note...

Check out the Tailored To Hire Blog!

Happy Spring

2008-03-19T21:35:00.002-05:00

My secret santa got me a picture frame for Christmas. I decided to seasonalize it.

Funness

2008-03-08T19:41:00.004-06:00

Thank you to everyone who helped me get started with my nonprofit Job Search Assistance Program.

I have a laptop nicer and newer than I expected, which I cannot seem to put down, I have clothes in my basement that I need to finish cataloging, I have the prayers and support of my family and friends, and I have THREE PARTICIPANTs.

WOOHOO!!!!

My brother made the announcement at the last food pantry (I'll leave the public speaking to him) and I met briefly with those interested. I was also chased into the pantry room by one who did not want to do the whole program, but wanted help with his resume, which of course I will do.

This week has been busy. Aside from doing a lot of research (I know nothing about plastic mold machine operators and what they should list on their resumes), work has been insanely busy... but good. I just had my review, received a great raise, wonderful feedback, and am now eligible for their amazing benefits. There is constant assessment of the workload of the staff and monthly individual meetings, which is good, because as I mentioned, the workload is insanely high. But I like it. I really can't complain.

Also, Kohl's is having a sale and these are my new shoes (those are not my feet):

It's been a pretty great week.

Think Springish thoughts

2008-02-23T20:15:00.005-06:00

My husband sent me flowers at work the other day. Just because.

Hi.

2008-02-20T22:22:00.002-06:00

I am still in need of a laptop. Nothing fancy, just need to run MSWord and hook a printer up to it. If anybody knows of anyone who is getting rid of an old one, or who has a cheap one, or who is looking at making a donation to write off on their taxes, please let me know. It will be used for a program to help people without jobs learn how to do a job search, fill out applications, prepare a resume, and prepare for interviews. This program will also be donating interview clothing to those who need it, as well as approximately a week's worth of work-appropriate clothing, if necessary.

Thank you.

Bye.

Dear Blogger,

2008-02-19T22:15:00.001-06:00

You Suck.

I accidentally posted this pretty sparkly ribbon in the wrong place and your "easy to use layout click and drag" won't let me take it out. I tried editing your HTML/XML page and received error after error. I know I need to close tags, but there are so many freaking tags that I have to take out to remove this stupid image that a half hour later I am giving up and going to bed.

In short, You Suck.

Sincerely,
Wanda

New Business

2008-02-17T17:07:00.002-06:00

Today I reaffirmed that I am not a public speaker. However, I do get to start my not-for-profit job search coach position under the church. This makes me very happy. So, thanks to my brother for all of his advice and opinions and allowing me to take this opportunity to the church meeting. Thanks to the church for voting it in. Thanks to my brother-in-law for his opinions, advice and ideas. There are a lot of people who are helping this to work, and I appreciate it all.

Anybody need a job?

My Blog, My Values...

2008-02-02T11:02:00.000-06:00

The other night I was telling my husband that the only reason I would want to be famous was to promote my own set of values.
I guess a blog could be used for the same. And I have been given ammunition! I was at a small get-together of sorts and the topic of discussion had, once again, swung around to the Transformers movie. I have not seen the movie. I do not wish to see the movie. I hope I never have to watch the movie. Anyway, a member of the group asked a male member of the group if he had seen it; he had. Apparently, he didn't like the movie too much. His response was something very close to "I think it's only redeeming quality was that the lead girl was really sexy." At which time both his wife and I stared at him, dumbfounded at how openly he said it.

Now I impart my values and wisdom.

Seriously, that was just inconsiderate. For all of you out there thinking "Hey, he thought some chick was hot. So what? He's human.”; it was inconsiderate. Let me put it this way. Say you are an attorney and you are defending some guy on a criminal case. You lose. You're standing in the courtroom when the judge announces a life sentence. You turn to your client, who is now going to rot in jail and say, with a stoners laugh "Oh man, I lost so bad! You are so going to jail!"

Yes, that is my comparison, and I stand by it. That comment really brought nothing to the conversation. We already knew he wasn't impressed with it. So, the comment was really nothing more than saying he more than remembered how much he enjoyed the leading lady; and that would have made any woman unhappy, whether or not they'd admit it (I find that in these situations, most won't readily admit it... not to the guy, anyway.)

Next time, try something like "I thought the movie was awful, but they picked good actors, and those robot guys must have been in Cirque Du Soleil when they were young to be able to do all that transforming."

My brother says "If you want to be happy with what you have, stop focusing on everything else. Focus on what you have." (Yeah, I know, other people have said it too, but he's the one that I listened to.) It's more than a nice saying, it's true; I speak from experience.

Enough ranting. Off to finish cleaning!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Please, sir, I'd like some more.

2008-01-30T20:48:00.000-06:00

I'm taking up a collection.
Please help save the freezing bunnies... no. Ummm... Please help fund Basenji dog vocal cord operations... no. That won't work either. Ummm... Nevermind, it's for me.

We bought land, and now we're poor. Not really. But I am trying to spend less money. Of course, merely days after closing on said land I found a software program I really, really want. For $45.00. So if any of you happen to have any $45.00 checks lying around that you don't want, you just let me know.

It's this cold outside...

2008-01-30T20:23:00.000-06:00

You know you're getting old when you don't care who sees you like this

My legs were numb, but my head was warm.

MmmMm... Hippo

2008-01-27T17:53:00.000-06:00

1.) Experiments

Out of curiosity, I decided to see if my cat could learn the difference in the type of food we feed him. We usually buy a case of his cat food, which comes in assorted flavors, so I began to wonder if he would be able to learn the difference between the three choices, and perhaps express in some way which one he might prefer. I've heard of crazier things. To begin this experiment I simply repeated the name of whatever I was feeding him; beef, chicken, etc. My husband, of course, couldn't let it go at just that. He decided he'd make it more interesting. Every time he fed him, he would repeat Hippo. He was also more loyal to the cause, and while I would occasionally forget, he rarely did. So, the other night while feeding the cat, he was wandering around aimlessly, waiting for me to set the food down while I repeated whatever I had randomly pulled out of the box. I think it was beef. After repeating this several times I had a sudden urge. I cannot explain why I had this urge, but I did. So I said it. "Hippo." The cat stopped wandering, looked up at me, and meowed.

2.) "Paris Needs No Embellishment"
While walking through our local mega-groceteria the other night, I witnessed a sight so horrifingly disgusting that it needs no embellishment. Having just grabbed a half dozen eggs, my mind wandering to the next item on our list: an ice-scraper for the newest car, as apparently the two we have are forever lost in the other car and I had to borrow my brothers earlier that week (thanks!), I turned toward my husband and froze halfway. There, about 5 freezers down, was a young boy, perhaps 6 or so, doing something so disgusting that can't even be excused by the fact that he was a 6 year old boy. For there he was, walking toward me, tongue out, and up against the glass freezer doors. Sliding from freezer door to freezer door as he walked, never once lifting. Not even to pass over the frame. I have no idea where his parents were, and didn't hesitate to loudly and openly mention how gross that was and loudly and openly ponder where his parents were and that obviously they should be keeping a better watch over their child.

3.) Did He Just Say That?
We have a couple of spanish speaking employees at work. The other day, we had a vocational expert in the office and while waiting for his meeting to begin, was wandering around. I am located in a fairly busy area and I overhear a great many conversations, for which I can't complain as the entertainment value is far worth the distraction. This particular expert stopped to chat with one of the spanish speaking employees who has been with the company for over 4 years. He said "Hey (girl), how are you doing? Are you still speaking spanish?"
Yes, I laughed. Yes, he realized what he said quickly and tried to laugh it off.

4.) "Late To The Story That Had Been..."
Happy Birthday, Cyndy!
Happy Birthday, Alyssa!
Happy Birthday, Kathy!

Moving

2008-01-13T15:12:00.000-06:00

Our website has moved. We are now located at heathnwanda.com. Hooray.
I took this opportunity to partially update my neglected page. I didn't do much. Changed the color, added the link to Souls Harbor Church's official page. That's just about it for the noticeable stuff.

I finally got to see Lydia today. All cute and babyish. That's about it. What else can be said about a 9-day-old?

Now I leave you with more keyword wacky-ness:

Ferret Names: I don't suggest listening to my family on this one. Drut is not a good ferret name.

Unintelligent employee: Bahahahahaha. I have a blog for you to read...

I Don't Have Issues I Have a Subscription: Want to be my friend?

Is It Legal For My Boss To Go Through My Desk When I Am Not There: Short Answer without the ability to ask follow up questions, Yes. What were you hiding in there, anyway?

And of course, the never-endingly popular:
Shut Up Baby, I Know It: Are there really that many people who know what that line is from, and are there really that many people typing this in to search engines?

Happy 8th of January!

2008-01-08T20:47:00.000-06:00

I was all excited and ready to post on New Years Eve. We had a ton of snow piled on our deck and I was going to write Happy New Year and take a picture with my pretty, new digital camera. But I didn't get my pretty, new digital camera. The shipping company didn't want to deliver it until the 2nd of January. While I could have done the aforementioned writing and taken the picture with my phone, I was too grumpy that I didn't have my camera. So I didn't.

Then, of course, the day my camera was delivered I had to go work at one of my previous jobs that I left for better pay and benefits and I did not get to play with my pretty, new camera until late. Having respect for my husband not wanting his picture taken (so that he, in turn, respects my wish to not have my picture taken), I could only take pictures of the cat (who is not at all camera shy and seemed to enjoy having his picture taken-and more to my surprise was the fact that he could be photographed! He actually showed up in pictures!); but both he and I got bored of that fairly quickly, so I spent the rest of the night flipping through the features.

Then my sister-in-law's doctor finally told her that it was time for her to let that baby out, which I had been telling her for close to 2 weeks, and I got to babysit my neice and nephew.

I was going to take pictures galore!

I planned on it, anyway.

I knew I would have them overnight, what I didn't plan on was having them for 2 nights. 37 hours, actually. If I'm not mistaken: 37 hours and about 15 minutes.

37 hours of a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and a cold.

I love those kids, and I would watch them anytime, but Gary - Sarah: I can't believe you had another one. And how do you try to explain that fire DOES NOT live in the smoke detector and that the clothes in the closet WILL NOT come to life while trying not to laugh.

Sick or not, I loved it. I got some cute pictures (and video of them racing stuffed animals down the stair railings),but I was sick and wasn't as excited over the new camera/cute kids combo as I should have been.

I'd do it all over again, preferrably without the cold. In about 3 years, right?

Welcome home Sarah and Lydia. I can't wait to see the baby, whom I haven't seen yet, because "as previously discussed" (hehehe--Dear Biller: that will never get old!) I am sick. Knocked-on-my-butt-staring-at-the-ceiling sick.

So, any visits to newborns, pictures from new, pretty camera, or noteworthy posts will have to wait.

My desk has this

2007-12-24T10:15:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to me!

(Click to enjoy a much larger view.)

Finally! It only took 4 months to convince someone that I was worth the $7.84. Thanks, Dad and Mom! I love it. So do people at work, even those who think I'm a little weird for putting office supplies on my Christmas list.

In other news, the job is going well. Training procedures, zero tolerance of unprofessionalism (i.e. yelling at other employees), excellent pay and benefits. So far, so good.

With a support staff of 12, 1 attorney, and 3 associates, I apparently made friends quickly (or so I'm told by other fairly new employees who say it took months before some of the girls talked to them). Of course, my husband helped out a bit.

Gorgeous, I know. And everyone in the office stopped by to inquire if it was my birthday or anniversary. I simply smiled and responded "Neither." then listened politely as they told me about the last time they had received flowers for no reason, if they had at all, and realized, again, just how lucky I am. I did not get a picture of them right away, so forgive the starting-to-droop look, but look at the amazing colors:

And for all of you Cheyenne-atics, he is doing well. Taking over the house and making himself comfortable wherever he wants.
He likes my pajama drawer.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Search Engine Sillyness

2007-11-12T10:13:00.000-06:00

Not only can I track who has been to my site, I can track the keywords used on search engines that lead people to my site.

Recent Keyword Activity:
"Directv Refund Request" - I feel for ya, buddy. Good luck getting your money back.

"I Like Felines" - You can like your felines, just don't LIKE your felines.

"Fuzzy Toilet Seat Covers Talking" - I don't even know how to respond to that one.

"My Sister Hates a Clean House" - Mine does not, she actually does pretty well considering the two kids, dog, cat, turtle, and husband. But I feel your pain.

"Shut Up Baby, I Know It" - I know it, too. So do a lot of other people. This is apparently a common search.

The Short Version:

2007-11-11T19:14:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Michelle! Enjoy the numerous flowers, even if they weren't all for you.

The picture of my anniversary present would be posted here (I finally got a picture of it, blurry as it may be) but for some reason, if you unplug the card from the computer once you have to restart before the computer will read it again. And yes, I did use the Safely Remove Hardware. It does this with a lot of things. We are annoyed.

Speaking of restarting computers, allow me to strap on my superiority complex and tell a story. A story about a lady who has been "doing this for 30 years". A lady who does not want your advice. Even if you overhear her tell a client "He's here, but not excepting calls" and you know that the attorney does not want his clients told that. Simply advising her that perhaps she should say something like "I'm sorry, he's not available at the moment, but I can leave him a message." will only instigate a tirade (in the reception area) about how you are not her boss and she has been doing this for 30 years and she was not hired to answer phones anyway.
My story takes place about a month after the aforementioned outburst.
I was making copies when I overheard the lady-who-has-been-doing-this-for-30-years on the phone leaving a voice mail. It went something like this:
"Hi, so-and-so, this is "secretary" at "attorney"'s office. I restarted my computer, so you can resend that email. That should help with the "Recipient Error" you said you received."
I ran upstairs laughing. Ask the receptionist, I really did. I tried to hold it in; kept making my copies, but by the time the secretary hung up, I was laughing and had to leave area.

If you don't get that, reread it.

I am baffled as to how restarting your computer is going to help someone else on another computer in another city send you an email.
(If you do not like me and live in Byron, which is where the recent activity on my site from my "friends" is from, or Davis Junction, you probably should not read this next part.)
If I received that voice mail, I would have to listen to it at least 4 times.
The first time, I would be confused and simply figure I need to listen again as I did not hear everything.
The second time, I would stare blankly at the phone and think to myself "I need to listen to that again. I heard that wrong. Right?"
The third time to confirm that yes, she said what I thought she said
And the fourth time to play for my friends.
Mean? Yes. It is. But when you act like you know it all, I expect you to know it all.

On another note, my last day is Monday. I start my new job on Thursday. Which means I have 2 days off! 2 days in which I plan clean and organize every inch of my house. My husband and I are both excited about this. I am actually looking forward to this.

Grandma, I hope you feel better. If you need anything, let me know.
Julie, I hope you feel better. If you need anything, let me know. - also, how interested are you in that A Nickel for Alice book, because I think I can get ahold of a copy.
Dena, Hi.
Family, What do you guys want for Christmas? I am obviously not going to be able to work in a cookie party this year. If everyone really enjoys them and wants to do it, maybe we could try in January, after all the holiday stuff is over and everything settles back down. Let me know what you think.

Moderation

2007-10-26T08:16:00.001-05:00

I cannot imagine having so little to do that I monitor a blog that belongs to someone I dislike. Since I track the traffic on my blog, I know who it is. This particular person is a Mediacom customer in the Davis Junction area, who has visited my site at least 109 times since I began tracking. I know a few people in that area. But I don't care, too much. I managed to get beyond the everyone-must-like-me stage a long time ago. Besides, I usually take insults well. It's easy to put someone down, call them names and point out shortcomings, and if that's all you can do, I don't take them too seriously. My point is that it's all about perception. There are so many points-of-view and I am all for hearing another side, but this is my blog. If you want to say something, do it nicely or get your own blog. If you are mature and intelligent enough to voice your opinion without the childish name-calling, I will not delete it. I do, however, appreciate the post. Not only because of the humor current and previous coworkers and I found in it, but because, even though I deleted it, I do not want to be a jerk; and posts like that make me think about who I have become and whether or not I am happy with myself. (The answer, by the way, is yes. I am very happy with myself.)

If you think it is bad of me to switch jobs because of the pipe smoke, consider that there are worse things I could do. I could report him, since it is now illegal to smoke in buildings in Wisconsin, unless more than half of your business is a bar. But I won't, because aside from this, I like this guy. He's very knowledgeable, down-to-earth, funny, and we get along.

And seriously, folks, nobody is forcing you to read this blog. In fact, it's mostly meant for my family. And after years of being so shy that I would blush when anybody said "Hi" to me, I am proud of how far I have gotten in life. I may not be intelligent, but I'm not an idiot, and I will be proud of that.

What I know

2007-10-02T13:14:00.000-05:00

I know that it has been a long time since I have posted.

I know that I still have to post a picture of the wonderful anniversary present my wonderful husband gave me (9 years!!! WOOHOO!!), which will be coming shortly. It seems that every time I remember to take the picture (I take those pictures on my cell phone since we don't actually have a digital camera yet--shocked? me too.) the battery on my phone dies.

I know that I am a picky employee and am looking for a new job. Again. With good reason. One of the partners walks around smoking a pipe ALL DAY LONG. He comes in at 9:00, so I have an hour every morning before my door closes and the window opens. And then about 15 minutes before he walks into my office with the pipe and starts talking to me. And with the 50-some-degree weather we are having, and my tendency to be cold unless it's over 80 degrees, I am very uncomfortable. My office is currently at 64. The 55 degree weather is blowing in the window at my head, and my space heater is blowing heat on my feet.

I know that I am cold.

I know that I did testing at one of those temp places and I apparently rock. I type 87 words-per-minute (for those who have no sense of judgment on this-most places require at least 60 wpm...), I am still at the expert/master user level on MS Word and Excel, which is the highest level possible, and I completely aced the proofreading/grammar test, which is a pass/fail test but the lady was impressed with just how well I did on it.

I know that my husband is very, very tired from all the work that he is doing for his mom. I wish I could help more. I wish his guy at work would return from vacation so he could sleep in a little later and not go in to work insanely early.

I know that I have to get back to work.

I know that I don't want to get back to work.

I know that I love my grandma's new place, and I hope she does, too.

Sassy-ness

2007-09-30T14:20:00.001-05:00

It definitely runs in my family. We are a sassy group. It should be no surprise that when a certain member of my family called to inform of the need to set up service in her new abode, she showed every bit of sarcasm and sassiness that was shown to her. Apparently the oh-so-friendly customer service rep was taking some information about service starting dates then asked for the "code". When my family member replied "Pardon" the customer service rep said "Code. You know, as in Zip Code. Z-I-P." My family member replied with "Do you want the new N-E-W or old O-L-D code." The customer service rep paused before continuing; with less sarcasm.

That's why I didn't hesitate to contact anyone and everyone I could when DirecTV wouldn't give us our money back. On July 17 we called to cancel service and request a refund (as we had paid for the year of service), which we were told would take 4 to 6 weeks. On July 18 or service was shut off. On September 9, I called to inquire about the refund and was informed that it is actually 6 to 8 weeks, and the request wasn't entered until July 24th. I told Latoya that it was not my fault that the request was not entered until a week after it was requested. Service was terminated, they obviously got that part right, and we were 7 weeks and 3 days from the date it was terminated, so even if it is 6 to 8 weeks we should have the check within the next 4 days. She "escalated" the order. On September 11th (the day before the 8 weeks was up) I spoke with Angel and told her that I was calling to confirm the check would be in my mailbox by tomorrow... she transferred me to a supervisor. Joyce told me she would again "escalate" my request and follow-up with me in 8 days (apparently it was going to take her that long to hear back from whatever department she was contacting). On September 19th I spoke with Michelle who told me the check was released, but she couldn't give me a check number. Instead, she gave me the number of the billing department, which I happily dialed. I spoke with Ruth, who tried and tried to pull up my account to get me a check number but just couldn't get in to the system. She did assure me that the check had been written on the 14th and it would take 7 to 10 business days for it to reach me. But she couldn't give me a check number. I politely informed her that if I didn't have a check number I was assuming that a check had not been written and if a check had not been written at this time (9 weeks from the date of request) I was contacting the Better Business Bureau. Eventually (about 45 minutes later) I spoke with her supervisor Jason who told me that the check had been done on the 14th and I had to wait 3 to 7 business days from the 14th. I told him that I had just been told 7 to 10 and inquired as to why nobody could give me a check number if one has been written. He told me I had to wait. I told him I had already waited 9 weeks and if I did not have a check number when I got off the phone, I would be filing complaints and contacting an attorney (my boss told me to write a letter stating I had retained his services and he would sign it... I love working for attorneys) The conversation ended with "You will just have to wait." So I went home and filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. And the next day I filed a complaint with the FCC. Then I received a voice mail on the 24th indicating that the amount was credited to my account on the 20th. I was pretty upset. After all, we had already received 2 statements showing the credit balance and I was supposed to be getting a check. So that evening I contacted them again and explained everything I had gone through, and that I had retained an attorney and filed a complaint with the FCC and the BBB. To my surprise she gave me a check number. And told me the check had been written on the 20th. So I filed a complaint with the company about Jason (I had his ID#) and indicated that he had outright lied to me and told me the check was written on the 14th. Then I received my check. 10 weeks to the day.

DirecTV's customer service is very polite, but that does not make up for keeping my $500.00 for 10 weeks. If I hadn't paid my bill for that long they would have sent me to collections. I am following through with these complaints and hopefully, maybe, someone else won't have to wait an unrealistic amount of time to get their refund.

And if you experience problems File a Complaint. We should not be punished because they can't manage their money. That is exactly what is happening here. And if you feel up for some interesting reading simply google the phrase "Directv refund" and you will find hundreds of similar stories. If everyone of these people would file a complaint, something might change.

That's disgusting

2007-09-30T14:03:00.000-05:00

Very disgusting. What is so disgusting that I had to post about it?

This:

I am, of course, referring to Elvis Presley as much as the Peanut Butter and Banana Cream flavor.

My family apparently finds my disdain of the guy amusing, and a certain member of my family decided to leave this hanging from my door one afternoon.

I was not even going to eat it, considering the overwhelming feeling I have to bang my head against a wall (which burns 150 calories an hour, by the way. Glad I wasn't the one who had to figure that out.) anytime I hear one of his songs or even his name.

But my husband really wanted to try it. So then I had to try it. Stupid.

Speaking of stupid. Here's a story...

Once upon a time there were two employees. One was intelligent and had common sense, the other was unintelligent and had no common sense. One day intelligent employee told unintelligent employee that she had listed the name of the Attorney General incorrectly on a document. Unintelligent employee got upset and immediately snapped back "How do you know." After explaining that she watched the news and read and that you could find the information on the internet, unintelligent employee got on the internet and typed in "Attorney General". She clicked on the first link that appeared. When intelligent employee said "You have to type in Illinois Attorney General" unintelligent employee replied "Oh, I thought there was only one."

Unintelligent employee then went on to state "You know, the one that puts the warnings on the cigarettes."

Intelligent employee laughed and said "Do you mean the Surgeon General?"

The End.

Again?

2007-09-08T07:57:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of geese flying south for the winter. Already! I'm not ready for that, yet.
Though I am not complaining about the geese leaving town. Evil birds who make any child sorry that they asked to go down the slide one more time and then have to do a Dukes of Hazard impression and jump through the window of the car because they are chasing said kid.

I had horrible luck with birds when I was a kid.

Labor Day

2007-09-03T10:39:00.000-05:00

I love Labor Day. I don't love labor. Don't get the two confused.

I have fond memories of this holiday. The MDA telethon, fondue, and family.
Every year, mom would prepare all this stuff for a fondue and we would turn on the telethon (back when it was on all night long) and we would settle into the living room and watch, occasionally heating up our food/snacks throughout the night. It is a tradition that I miss. While I still turn it on every year to see how good ol' Jerry is doing, and to see if I can understand a word Charo is saying yet, it will never be the same (except that I still can't understand a word Charo is saying).

(p.s. today was a three-post day, so if you're really bored, don't forget to read the rest of them below)

Name that Ferret

2007-09-03T10:35:00.001-05:00

Knowing that I have always wanted one, my sister-in-law bought me a ferret.

It's cute, and soft, and needs a name.
I am currently taking suggestions on names.
Names that I will not accept are:
Elvis, or anything relating to (i.e. The King, etc.)
A certain plant from the bible
and other names to be added at a later date as I am sure I will receive some bad names I haven't thought of yet.

De-cis-what?

2007-09-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

We all know that I can't make a decision unless it has to do with work and I am being paid to do so. So it should come as no surprise to you all to hear that I needed help purchasing my new purse. As I walked helplessly around Kohl's the other weekend carrying two of the exact same purse in two different colors around the store I tried to reach a couple members of my family, thinking they would help. I was, however, informed that my sister was much to busy buying a door and couldn't help with my crisis right away and would have to call me back, and then I was hung up on when I tried to reach my parents house. (Ok, not their fault that they live in the middle of nowhere and have to suffer through dial-up and the modem picked up the phone when I called) I did eventually talk to mom, who told me to go with the grey and black as Dena was FINALLY calling me back on the other line. I spoke with her just as she was leaving a conveniently close location and she kindly ran over to see my two choices, much to Aaron's shock and dismay. She, too, chose the grey and black.
Here it is:

Isn't it cute. Thank you.

Next...

This part of my post has been edited. After reading my aunts board, I realize I may have spoiled something...?? This will be reposted at a later date. However, I would just like to say that not all of my family reads this blog so it may not be spoiled yet

I have a cold

2007-08-29T13:11:00.000-05:00

I have things to post, like my new purse that I needed help picking out and the amusing story about that, but I have a cold and it is kicking my butt. I feel weird.

Very weird.

Just wanted to let you all know that.

My desk wants this

2007-08-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

If you are ever out and about and feel like buying me something (because I am just that great) but don't know what to buy me, try this:

(my precious)

It's pretty. It's mesh. And I wants it.

I found it at the store-that-must-not-be-named. The store that is disliked by many members of my family and in-laws. And I agree (the whole major corporation getting away with immoral things thing). But it is so close and it has pretty mesh desk organizers. I hate that it is so close (with all the traffic and lights and whatnot), but it is SO CLOSE.

My desk is incomplete without it. I promise to take care of it and keep it pretty and organized. Look at all of its organizational purposes. Look at the drawer in front. Pretty.

It is only $7.84. Don't you love me $7.84 worth? (I had a picture of this beautiful caddy centered perfectly over the price, but when I got home it was not on my phone. I think it's jealous.)

I need my own show.

2007-08-14T20:22:00.000-05:00

A show where I can tell people not to cut holes in their roof if it's raining.

Story #1
If you are going to say something stupid, I am going to laugh at you.
The setting: the local Farm & Fleet (this is important)

I was walking down an isle, headed straight for some guy and his Beverly Hills girlfriend/wife, half-ignoring the announcement on the speaker about visiting a certain department "for all your ag needs" and, (seriously, guys, I cannot make this stuff up) Beverly Hills turns to her boyfriend/husband and says "I didn't know they had eggs here. I need to get some, and some milk, too."

I laugh. Her boyfriend/husband turns away without saying a word. She glares at me, though she doesn't know why I am laughing. I continue on my way.

Story #2
Stupid-R-Us
I received a change-of-name card in the mail from a business at work today from a company I will refer to as Stupid Enterprises. It read something like this:

Stupid Enterprises
123 Fake Street
Dumbsville, USA, 12345

Please note your records that our official name is now

Stupid Enterprises

All other contact information will remain the same.

That's great, geniuses, but would you mind telling me who you were before?

Story #3
At least she wasn't still sitting at her desk.
(I didn't get to witness this one, I have taken this story from a friend, but I couldn't resist.)

While punching out at 5:00 on Friday afternoon, two employees (whom I will call Peggy (hehehe) and Ditzy) said goodbye to the third employee (whom I will call... Oh, what's that bird ladies name in Mary Poppins???) okay, let's just call her Bird Lady, who-for informational purposes I will point out has been employed with this company for 1 year and 4 months-ish). Peggy also reminds Bird Lady to lock up when she leaves (since she was goofing off on the internet and not ready to go when everyone else was).

Bird Lady yells to Peggy and Ditzy "Wait, I don't know how to lock up. Don't leave me." (Again, employed 1 year 4 months).
"Shut off the lights and lock the door." Peggy replies.
"I don't know how to shut off the lights." says the Bird Lady (without laughing... wait, she can't be serious, can she?)
"Use the lightswitch. There's only two switches." replies Ditzy. (who is not looking so ditzy right now)
So Ditzy and Peggy proceed to leave stupi... I mean Bird Lady behind because, seriously, she is in her 50's and surely she knows how to work a light switch and lock a door.

That is what Peggy thought; until she returned to work on Monday morning and found the lights still on, and the door unlocked.

Well, Peg, at least she wasn't still sitting at her desk.