And HE's back...

That's right boys and girls and children of all ages - Bubba aka Captain Obvious is back!! He's given us two that right two gems in the last 24 hours and I must share! (remember the title folks its this or I will be an episode if CSI:Germantown)

Our tale today begins yesterday morning when I and the two pups were beginning the morning routine, up, out, breakfast, upstairs, shower... you get the idea. Well this routine had a major interrupt known as puppy present on the carpet. Now I cannot prove which of my darlings had a midnight run but I have my suspicions... can't do anything about it but clean up the mess... which I do. No harm no foul (well it was foul smelling and generally gross.. you get the idea)

ANY- who... that tended we fast forward to our evening... we are enjoying dinner in aka Pizza and salads, and watching Penguins skate around like figure skaters... HEY NANCY IT'S A PUCK SHOOT IT.... in the midst of all this one puppy is moving blankets about and oh look... another puppy surprise! Yeah... Bubba in his usual helpful manner starts to yell at the dogs... now we didn't see oops occur and I suspect this could have been a buried present from the morning deposit from early today... so kick the dogs outside just to be on the safe side... I get the stuff to clean up the mess, we realize there is more 'present' on the blanket and (wait for it) Bubba leans over and says... "This is dirty too you'll have to wash it..." No, I am not making this up. Who could? As I crouched over smelly gooey pile number 2 of the day he pulls out this little gem? I'm going to have to wash a blanket with dog mess on it? No! Really Captain Obvious - it never occurred to me... and those were the actual words mutter by me... which just makes C.O. cranky. What the heck does he have to be cranky about? He's not cleaning up the mess? He's not washing the blanket... he's merely being his usual helpful self... "you're going to have to wash this.." I so desperately want to go pat his head and help him back to his chair, "thank you dear I would have had no clue what to do next if you hadn't told me... I'm so thankful to have you here..."

Now hit the fast forward button to this morning... there are a lot of dishes in the sink, and generally my kitchen is a mess... it's been a long week and several nights Aunt Ing has so NOT been in the mood to deal with dishes... as such there was a mess and it was listed on my things to do today... (that and we were out of plates so it was kinda a must do...). Now as we were starting our day I mentioned the kitchen as one of my things to get done early today... in comes.... (ta-da-duh) Captain Obvious... as I walk downstairs showered and dressed, walking into the kitchen... he says... "boy this is a mess you better get this cleaned up." Insert head slap here. Not to mention complete dumbfound-ed-ness... then a smirk as I knew I had a good story to post today... yeah it's come to that...

As I stood in the kitchen looking at our beloved hero I could just smile and say, "yes dear as previously stated a mere 10 minutes ago this on the to do list..." And frankly I give myself a great deal of credit for not picking up the heavy skillet and bashing his head in... or at least ringing his bell really really hard. You know cartoon style.. boing... tweety birds and stars... hey it's my picture I get to enjoy it. hee hee hee...

Well back to the grind of a Saturday, (the kitchen is already clean...) bills and the like... can life get any more exciting?

Oh - way to go boys - you Penguins are taking notes from the Steelers... waiting until the end of the flipping game to make things interesting.. who needs an exercise class I get more racing heart moments with my sports teams... I should have the cardiac system of a teenager. Oh - and they play again tonight... there will be stretching before the National Anthem, please be on time.

Being a good corporate drone is no fun...

I was going to say it sucks but I didn't want that on the title... I have been chained to my desk busily building all the stuff that was needed for this external audit next week. Why? Oh yeah that paycheck thing... *sigh*

So... Friday commute in - no big deal. I like Friday morning commutes. Didn't want to get out of bed to go... but that is simply being redundant - it's like saying things over and over again don't you know.

Made my 8:30 AM meeting, I didn't have anything productive to say today so it was a quick meeting. Then I sat at my desk and and busily worked hard until I realized it was 11:46 and I was meeting a friend for lunch at 12 noon... rush rush hurry hurry.. and ahhh lunch out. Very nice. Chat, chat stories exchanged, show off the anniversary bling, then (insert drudge music here) back to the desk... and I've been here ever since... but as I said yesterday I am just the corporate drone taking her place on the giant cog of the spinning wheel... not that I'd get any recognition for a job well done or anything...

On the up side I am well ahead of where I thought I would be today - so that is a good thing, and I can send it out to folks and get feedback and be in a good place come Wednesday. Crude - I just realized that I won't get to work form home this week!! Maybe Friday we'll see.

I have just also realized that my brain is dead - I'm going to head to Target, pick up my vacation pictures, think about buying Halloween candy and head home... then listen to Shelby bark until Bubba gets home - then she lays down and goes to sleep - I annoy her when she does that - just because I can.

Also shopping for gifts for the nieces... it's Penguins shirts all the way and it's mostly a poke in the eye to my brother-in-law who chooses to root for another team (loser). AND I'm doing it because I can... and I'm a stinker. (hee hee hee) We did a name exchange for Christmas presents - I can't deal with this just yet.. nope. Although I did see Christmas stuff in some store this week... gah! It's still flipping October.

Bubba is not leaving town this weekend... he'll be home for another week, which means I've got to go to the grocery store some time this weekend, laundry can wait until Sunday - and heaven help me what as to what he thinks he's got planned... me? It involves quiet weekend at home, with my puppies and possibly dinner in. Definitely dinner in.

Pens play tonight and this weekend, Steelers are off, and the neighbors are sporting Yankee jerseys. Fun time in Suburban Maryland - white bread and mayonnaise for everyone. ;-)

We'll chat more tomorrow.

Downhill slide of the week...

And I'm hitting by the boulders rolling down this hill...

Amazingly it isn't Bubba - I left his snoring backside at 0-dark-thirty this morning... I really do want to beat to death the person who calls 7:30 AM conference calls... "to assist those who must travel". Yeah? What about those of us who sleep? On the up side I was here early very busy - very on time for my 8:30 AM tag up another head pounding moment... and now here I sit wondering why I am bothering.

Work from home yesterday was as usual a great commute, got things done for work and not for work my puppy babies were happy... then came the all hands meeting....

All hands = everyone attends. I was on time, using the computer for the chat and the presentation slides, had the phone on mute (triple checked) and I did pay attention as this was the big boss of the program, I was interested in what he had to say... then came the kudos slide.

Let me give you a bit of back up to put my mood into proper prospective.... this project has 3 locations, 2 in Northern Va, and 1 in Huntsville AL. Now when something is due to us here in Location 1, the usual statement is I have Northern VA 1 and 2 and I'm waiting for Huntsville. Around here we've gotten to a short hand known as HST - Huntsville Standard time. We have fought, bribed, cajoled, begged, and threatened to get this team up to snuff, following the right way to do things and to get things done on time.... they are slowly coming around but we work very hard to keep this on the road, on target and on time.... WE - Northern VA location 1...

Yesterday on the kudos slide - NO ONE from Northern VA location 1 was mentioned. No one - and to add insult to injury the problem children of Alabama... were PRAISED for their great work on following the standards and processes....GGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

WHO! pushed and pulled these people into doing this right? WHO! has suffered through the most useless reviews only to have your every issue, questions, prodded and shot through of holes... And WHO will get NOTHING but more difficulty from the teams now basking in the sugar coated glory of the kudos slide from the big boss of the project...

And WHO - has NO interest in working at all for this team of ungrateful PITAs....

That would be me... facing an audit ... and so not interested in busting my hump - again for a bunch of ....... and never mind because I've been busting my hump for 3 days getting ready for this audit and I will push and pull everyone to do a good job and be ready... and still get no - nothing from anyone for the effort.

Working for a living sucks. But it's late October and I don't do cold well... so here I am and so I can enjoy the luxuries of life like indoor plumbing, central heat, new anniversary ring... :-)
Plus 40 plus years of Italian-Catholic-Mom guilt will have me doing my job and doing it to the best of my ability... while whining to co-workers and suggesting a large drinking party post audit... Why can't I be like the guy who fancies himself a "manager" which to him means he can work a 6.75 hour day and have his employee stand before the poo spraying fan while he's behind the wind and ducking behind her when something threatens to spray his way...

On another topic... tried something new for dinner last night... a semi-hit I'll tweak it and see if we can't make that almost a casserole a little better. Tonight I'll come up with something, and probably be asleep before 9:30 PM. Hey its a life.

Finally a bit of fun - my Pittsburgh Penguins.. boy are those boys fun to watch; especially last night - lit it up! Fun fun fun. Keep it up boys Uncle Bob was happy it makes for peaceful homes...that and the belly full eyes heavy feeling too...

Aunt Ing likes quiet nights...

Oh and this final note: (sent via email...)
October 29th is the official Slap Your Irritating Co- workers Holiday: Do you have a co- worker who talks nonstop about nothing, working your last nerve with tedious and boring details that you don't care about? Do you have a co-worker who ALWAYS screws up stuff creating MORE work for you? Do you have a co-worker who kisses so much booty; you can look in their mouth and see what your boss had for lunch? Do you have a co-worker who is SOOO obnoxious, when he/she enters a room, everyone else clears it? Well, on behalf of Ike Turner, I am so very very glad to officially announce SLAP YOUR IRRITATING CO-WORKER DAY! Here are the rules you must follow:

* You can only slap one person per hour - no more.
* You can slap the same person again if they irritate you again in the same day.
* You are allowed to hold someone down as other co- workers take their turns slapping the irritant.
* No weapons are allowed...other than going upside somebody's head with a stapler or a hole-puncher.
* If questioned by a supervisor [or police, if the supervisor is the irritant], you are allowed to LIE, LIE, LIE!

Now, study the rules, break out your list of folks that you want to slap the living day lights out of and get to slapping on October 29th..... and have a great slapping day!

A tale of two stories

Or - Aunt Ing is going to tell you two stories today...

First, the Saturday before we left for vacation I wrote of Bubba and his going out with work buddies and leaving me alone for dinner... while that is still all true I got a better less butt-head story upon his timely (yes timely) arrival home that evening...

Bubba had asked young Jedi co-worker in numbers to make an appearance Saturday to help get reports and the like out the door in a timely manner and so Bubba would indeed make the sailing time and place of his vacation... because we all know his loving wife of nearly 20 years would have left his butt on the shore and enjoyed said vacation sans Bubba... I digress...

Since the young Jedi did appear and used the force for good with all the numbers Bubba was able to leave at a "decent" hour (i.e. 6 PM vs. 9PM) so our wise and elder number warrior took young Jedi to the Death Star Canteen (in this story also know as the Austin Grill) enjoyed said grog and meal and parted ways... So the moral of the story-- tell the wife before you leave so this information is shared and she doesn't waste an hour being ticked off... and you can be a nice guy when you want to...

Now... story number two... as I have previously written I work for Large Nameless Corporation and as such my computer is not my own... even less so as we have some sort of uber lock down software that I will call "Trust-Not-Desktop". Now this Trust-Not (for short) is on every computer on the Large Nameless Corporation network... it's like the Matrix the network knows you're out there and if it doesn't see the Trust-Not tag it will be forced upon you... much like green veggies when you were a kid.

So with Trust-Not a regular user cannot install software on their own computer, now I understand that is a preventative measure for idiots and managers who try to install screen savers that are viruses and other not good things but this Trust-Not software also prevents installing of new programs you need to do your job... and IT's answer is to wipe out your drive, install everything else including the new piece of software then force feed Trust-Not again... so 4 days later when you get your computer back - always missing something you needed... and you are just so happy to have your computer back you don't mind redoing 18 hours of work... really.

The last two days apparently big brother - aka Corporate IT has decided there are updates my computer need to have installed, probably more spyware to ensure that I am being a good corporate drone and am busily working hard every hour of every day... and not posting to a personal blog or some other such foolishness... Now normally these software updates are invisible to me except that I come in and find my computer has been rebooted the night before... this time - we've seen the tell tale reboot - only now there was some update that didn't work right... and it keeps trying to install in that quiet way of pop-up a window you can't get rid of announcing that in 10 minutes (with count down) this piece of software will be installed... AND an hour later you have to REBOOT YOUR MACHINE. Now when the install fails it still makes you reboot - every hour - on the hour and it counts down.... and the fun part boys and girls - YOU CAN'T STOP IT! It just takes down your machine Fun!

So a call to Large Nameless Corporation's IT department -and while they are attempting to be helpful they don't know why it's happening... (remember IT sent this to my computer - and THEY can't find the root of the problem). It would be funny if I didn't have to stop actually doing something productive to wait 20 minutes for my computer to reboot. Productive! You bet! I want that on a motivational poster - "Productivity - just ask IT how to suck it up!"

And finally a bonus tale -short but funny...
I went to get a manicure, along with other errands to be run during one's day at home you can get more things done in 30 minutes at 2:00 PM than you can in 2 hours on Saturday afternoon- I digress. As I sat there getting tended to the lady was speaking, not me as she was talking in her native tongue (that's her first language that is NOT English boys and girls) it has nothing to do with a body part... and she's getting mad and talking louder and more - I'm looking around at the other ladies who might have a clue as to what she is saying and they aren't paying any attention to her... ah who the heck is talking to?

Then as I sat drying (my nails - please pay attention) I noticed she touched her ear and began talking again.... SHE WAS ON THE PHONE - A WIRELESS HEADSET... and I sat there like an idiot thinking she's was yelling at her coworkers instead she was probably yelling at a family member under the age of 18. The joke is on Aunt Ing tonight...

Ok back to work, and then to face dinner and cleanup and another day...
enjoy the fall colors and we'll chat tomorrow.

Post Vacation Day two...

I want to be back on the boat.... NOW. It's rainy, and chilly and it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to work today - late for my 8:30 AM meeting, and NOW we've got a 7:00 AM meeting Thursday if I go to sleep now and wake up for Thursday's meeting I might have enough sleep. Aunt Ing is SO not a morning person.

Facing an external audit next week - can't seem to kick it into gear this isn't good I've got a ton of work to do. On the up side I'm working from home tomorrow so I will get things done. Plus the pups will be happy that someone is home - they've been a bit cling-y since we've been home... understandable. I missed them too...

Now I also must face the what are we having for dinner- issue... man where is that magic fairy with the idea, the shopping and the cooking done? Oh yeah I left the cook, the wait staff and the cabin boy on the boat... this completely sucks. ;-)

Do you think Bubba will be unhappy about soup and sandwiches for dinner tonight? It's cold, dark and rainy sounds like the perfect dinner to me... hey he ain't cooking it quite whining... (oh wait that was me - so its more of here eat this)

No Steelers football this weekend - what will I do? Enjoy because Bubba is headed out of town for the week? That would be wrong. Will still enjoy it. :-) Remember boys and girls - 20 years of wedded bliss - or more like 20 years of - you ain't dead yet? LOL I wuv Bubba even on the bad days - and I haven't duct taped him to the bus stop sign or super glued him inside his car or run his fanny over .... ok that went to a dark place - just flip a little switch - ah light. There you go... we won't talk about that again will we? WILL WE? I knew you'd see it my way.

I've got to get candy for the little darlings this weekend - and a pumpkin - and crap I need to make a list... I'm going to take a nap then make a list then figure out dinner but I have to drop off the dry cleaning first - then shop - and oh just shoot me now. Maybe I will tackle this pile of paperwork sitting on my desk... oh yeah that's going to happen.

Be quiet as you shut the door the nap was won out............

I'm back....

Back from vacation first day of work survived, 200 plus emails, read, sorted, deleted or generally ignored, staff meeting was generally uneventful, and today I was awarded by 15 year certificate at work... (I've worked for the same company for 15 years... not the same job but the same company) and for that I get to pick a prize... lucky me.

Now the trip.... was FAB-U-LOUS. Getting to the boat was generally painless, parking was pricey to say the least the boat was large, packed and headed South. Worst day was the day we left port... after that sunny and 80 plus degrees the entire trip - oh you betcha Aunt Ing is tanned and happy. (and now peeling)

Bubba is tired and broke. ;-)

Generally I spent my time in the sun with my nose in a book, I ate too much, drank too much, partied hard and didn't sleep enough. All the signs that the vacation was super fab. Bubba spent his seaboard time at the casino and apparently made many friends, most of whom inquired at dinner if he would be returning to the tables that evening. I think he closed down the casino almost every night... hey - it's his vacation too.

We only did one shore thing as the deep sea dolphin swim was canceled - troubles with the equipment we were told.. no worries we went shopping! We snorkeled the blue waters of Freeport Bahamas... saw coral and fish and other butts and drank in the waves of seawater and really enjoyed it (the snorkeling not the drinking of seawater). It was warm, it was sunny, the ocean was rocking and the rum punch was free flowing - after the snorkeling had completed. We had a downer moment when a woman on our boat was having heart trouble, they off loaded her and sped another boat away - and we quietly partied... we still drank - to her health and safe trips home and a nice day. I didn't hear the outcome of her but I will say she is fine.

So with trip number 2 canceled we when shopping, I thought I would like a black diamond ring on this trip but couldn't find anything I liked... then we found sapphires! On my finger is the honey-I-am-a-butt-head-but-I-still-love-you anniversary gift. 1.90 point sapphire and 2 smaller diamonds... must see to believe. It's very nice. :-)

Another minor bummer was our traveling companions (our neighbors) were GREAT! But the Mr. neighbor caught a bug and was a downer the last couple of days... I felt really bad for him, he was so sick.... I also threatened him with bodily harm if he shared a germ... he really looked bad. Only one case of rocking-boat-ities... and not me or Bubba Mrs. Neighbor spent a night suffering. But she was back to her own bubbly self the next day.

The house and the puppies are fine, the cleaning lady broke my espresso machine pot don't ask me how - but she did. I will find the replacement - order and bill her. Things happen.

Bubba was not a butthead on this trip - only once when I had to find him in the casino because I wore a dress to dinner I couldn't unzip myself... hey it looked nice - but he was cranky about leaving his game... 2 freaking minutes (plus the stone got larger that night) ;-)

The shopping "guy" on ship gave us a great tip the bar where the crew drinks -which then cleared up a few other questions, I digress, but we found it - and enjoyed out $2.50 beers and something Mrs. Neighbor and I enjoyed called a Miami Vice... half Pina Colata and half strawberry daiquiri... the 2.5 inches of liquors on the bottom of a to-go 15 ounce cup probably were what made it so good.... I was a very smooth ride out of Nassau that day.

The other fun thing was the extra 3 hours we "enjoyed" in port at Port Canaveral Florida... apparently the crew had a life boat drill and when one of the boats didn't go back to it's holding place on the ship it had be fixed before the US Coast Guard would let us leave port. I found myself not terribly unhappy about that little bit of safety stuff - as my fanny would be the one standing at my mustard* station going - "what do you mean its broke? FIX IT!"

*yeah yeah muster station but it's more fun to stay mustard... folks who's first language is not English did not get the joke. Post drill of course. OH and on the upside, bravo to the rule change that does not make me put on that smelly life vest and stand outside like an idiot during the drill. Thank you I can find my ketchup station, I know how and where to stand and all will be well - don't run my boat into anything and we'll be just fine.

Oh and to my Italian ship's captain who apparently was a race car driver in a former life... 23 knots on rough seas with 30 plus mile an hour winds... no wonder the medical staff was out of seasick pills... the man was hauling ship - and this was before the 3 hour delay... (hey that could almost be a theme song) .. after the delay - the numbers were even more fun... let me put it this way... we left port 3 hours late and arrived at our next port a mere 45 minutes after the scheduled arrival time... go figure.

I want to thank my beloved Steelers for keeping the game yesterday interesting after I napped through the 2nd and 3rd quarters... the 4th kept me up and awake... yeesh. Again - boys note the people in the area in which you live this kind of weekly stress is going to kill off a number of season ticket holders... on the other hand... opens up spots for those of us still waiting... that would be bad...

I also have to say there were a large number of yinzers on that boat out of Baltimore - it was fun check in day to see the various purples and blacks mixed with all that black and gold... a fun time was had by all... even better when Baltimore lost last week and the Steelers beat the hapless Cleveland Brownies.... what a great way to start one's vacation no?

Well I've got a meeting tonight, and dogs to feed so for now I will sign off... more during the week as I will need these 30 minutes of quiet meditation for the purpose of not being brought up on murder charges... coworkers are the current target - as I haven't spoken to Bubba since we left for work this morning... stay tuned...

On vacation...

I leave in 2 hours - I will report back when I get home.

May the pups and my house be in good shape upon my return.

Aunt Ing.

24 hours....

In a mere 24 hours I will be on a large boat, sailing away from shore and life as we usually know it...

But before we get to that boys and girls let's start with a story... Something fun happened here this morning, Bubba managed to get home at 2AM, in his usual quiet manner (banging said suitcase up the stairs) he arrived. Oh puppy Shelby also did manage to herald his arrival as well - darn dog. Now when I went to bed last night the kitchen was clean, no dishes in the sink - everything washed or in the dishwasher... and when I awoke... one single solitary cup. In my clean sink. How the bugger heck did he DO that? He was home for (and I kid you not) 7 hours and the 6.25 of those he was SLEEPING. Its like the cups knows he is home and jump from their hiding spots into the sink (got you back buddy no worries- we'll have her crazy in no time). And they are close - but I'm on vacation very very soon... it will all be well.

Now today has been a bit on the nuts side, Bubba answered his phone, showered and left. I woke, showered, went the bank, went to the store to get something for dinner, thought about breakfast and decided to do that at home - tried to find another florist only to have the one close to home also closed (moving!) and then home to begin the 600 pounds of laundry done so we can pack and GO!!

Of course darling Bubba before he left managed to call in a prescription refill which completely tossed off my morning running schedule - but hey what's another trip right? Oh did I mention while he's LEAVING again he asks if I've gotten the mail and papers tended to... gee dear I hadn't thought of that we'll only be gone a week what's the deal? (that's sarcasm boys and girls and generally works best in my head - tends to make Bubba cranky). No sense of humor some days I swear.

So now we have the AM errands run, we've got laundry in the works, breakfast was enjoyed, and generally just trying to keep moving as it's 45 degrees and freaking raining. Frankly I wouldn't be surprised to see animals lined up two by two near that boat that's whisking me away for warming climates. And if there are I am NOT looking in the bottom of that ark. (for you Bill Cosby fans)

So I've got laundry well under way I have fielded a number of phone calls from the neighbors, coordination and the like, and we've added 2 more things to the afternoon errand run that was to get Bubba's drugs. I need to fill up the family truckster as that will be the mode of transportation to the boat for the four happiest adults in all of suburban MD (well 3.5 if you count Bubba) ;-) And to deposit a check into the bank account I forgotten on trip one, so since I feel guilty enough about leaving my babies I decide they can come along on this trip - and it's 45 degrees so I don't have to worry about over heated puppies. Stop one, getting gas, of course I pull into a pump where I can't just swipe and go - so inside I go - prepay, and come back to see shelby sitting in the front seat... groovy. I get the gas to pumping, open the back hatch window to talk Shelby back to where she belongs only to find.... a Shelby present. *sigh* Thankfully I'm at a gas station, I grab a handful of towels clean up the mess, scrub a bit, then get Shelby to get back to the back. I know why this happened... she hates to be outside in the rain, so she held the present as long as she could but all the jumping around with a ride --- and present presented itself. So that minor crisis tended to, off to the bank, pull up, boop,beep,boop, bip (my actual pin btw so don't share) that's deposited and next to the store to get the drugs. Park, scurry in the rain, get drugs, back out, no new strange smell, and home we go. Get mail, nothing major great, and back to more laundry, made myself a bit of lunch and paid the last two bills of the month and back to laundry, washing dishes and then the cherry to my day....

Bubba called - he's going out to dinner with his work buddies. I was - heck I am cranky - I think I have a right to be, he's flipping home for 45 minutes and now he's gone. Yeah Yeah I'll be with him all week but I know these outtings he says couple hours and its midnight. So I mentioned that we are leaving here at 1:00 PM tomorrow with or without him. I will have to toss the tomato I bought for his sandwich tonight - marinated steak sandwiches... turd. I'm still having mine I've been thinking about it all day. Butthead.

So to sum up - while Bubba was again at work - I ran about Germantown, and did 7 loads of laundry, dishes and packed FOR ME. He'll pack when he gets home. Must be nice.

Now on the upside - I am headed to warmer climates - the temps promise to be in the high to middle 80's I plan to be in a bathing suit in the sun Monday morning - I plan to enjoy every delight I can and OH do I plan to ENJOY EVERY FREAKING MINUTE OF MY VACATION. And I promise not to pitch Bubba overboard - really - too many questions - he may have too much rum one night and not wake up... nah... ;-)

So final word for the next seven days....

All the world is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death - Auntie Mame

I have no intends of starving... all week...

THE LOVE BOAT.... SOON WILL BE MAKING ANOTHER RUN..... THE LOVE BOAT....
Oh Captain... why yes another bottle of your private reserve would be fab... did I mention the officers are all Italian?

Chow(that's good bye in Italian spelled in English) :-D

Its cold, it's raining... AND I DON'T CARE!

Yes boys and girls not only is it Friday but my vacation from work will start today at 1:30 PM... my vacation from life is still scheduled for Sunday...

I awoke at o-dark-30 and got my lazy fanny out of bed so that I could leave work at said early hour and I have plans for a bit of beauty time, manicure, pedicure a bit of waxing (eyebrows people please) then home, and another list of stuff to do, cash, bills, laundry phase one, laundry phase two will be tomorrow with Bubba home, packing checking and worrying about my babies.

I know -I know but its my house and my babies you want the pups to be all right. And enough - the other neighbor will be home and is aware we won't be. Ah Grownups ;-)

So won't see the Steeler game this week or next - this week eh-- it's the Cleveland Brownies... who well aren't a great team. (yeah ok I was going to say suck eggs but I didn't want to poke karma in the eye) Now the Sunday we get home... my Steelers play the Vikings... yikes. I want them to beat Baltimore this Sunday - but then they will be all pumped and full of themselves for our game but it they lose they will all ticked off and fired up to play better against the Steelers. Cripes that is just lose-lose. Screw it I'm on vacation!! (oh - cabana boy... another one of those fruity-rum-make-me-forget-hours-in-my-day drinks) hick

I don't expect to get a lot of stuff done work wise today - I think I hit the vacation wall about 4:30 last night... I tried to push through for another 30 minutes then bagged it... then the night really started. It was raining, so traffic was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO slow and by the time I got the grocery store to pick up my 'script refill and a bit of something for dinner I was so ready to be done driving.. now out done, and 1 minute from home - I could walk from this point... accident my half of the road is closed. That intersection is a real issue people don't stop from one direction and from the other folks are flying down the road .. 1 minute from home.... but NOOO I have to do the 4 point turn around (me and 6 of my close friends) head back from whence I came, and get into the neighborhood from the back end... I was 1 minute away. I don't think I can put into words the complete dejection I felt about being so close to home and then... blinky lights, blocked roads, twisted medal - and I hope no one seriously hurt. But still -- one freaking minute I would have been home.....warm dry.. and yeah I'm cranky and unhappy about it.

I got home, finally, comfy clothes, dinner done, puppies loved, shows taped, watched, went to bed early then the alarm clock........

I can report that the pictures are still on the wall and I moved things back underneath them, I shifted some things around and I think we're pretty much done -- for now. Still working on that getting bookshelves build in my office... we'll gauge the mood when Bubba gets home. If I were a betting gal I'd say the mood will be 'cranky'. Not much of a bet, the spin the wheel of Bubba moods, you have four options, happy, hungry, tired, cranky-- actually you could bring that down to two as hungry and tired equals cranky so you have happy or cranky. And after a late night cross country flight - oh yeah winner says Cranky! (say that with a carnival barker voice and it's funny - trust me)

OK so I'm off to pretend to do something constructive today and see how I do. I will check in before we sail then y'all are on your own for the week... Aunt Ing is not logging on to a computer... so not happening.

Is it Sunday yet?

I will probably start every entry with that until Sunday... sing with me now... the LOVE Boat soon will be making another run... Oh yeah SO not in the mood to be working but I am as I've got to leave a long and detailed list of stuff that has to get done while I'm gone, (on vacation!!) so when I am forced to return to work and several days later when I sober up I will have to be ready for an external audit. I may delay the sobering up we'll see.

Please check the date - yep - mid-October no time machine no matrix like warp... it's mid October... AND THE HEATER KICKED ON THIS MORNING. Oh my flipping heck in a hand basket... oh wait - I'm headed to the islands for a week... it could freaking snow today and I'll hang on to that one...

Now what does it say about life with Bubba when a co-worker walks in and says "My you look rested today..." or maybe it's the hair. A little darker, styled and ready to go on our CRUISE... have I mentioned that - a week in the islands-- perhaps I have.

I hung more pictures last night but in a fit of... gee I should have read that BEFORE I hung these... those 3M hanger things generally don't like wall paper; and where did I hang those things? Yes--on the wall paper in the family room. So I didn't move anything underneath the bigger pictures just in case... as of this morning they were still hanging plus this wall paper has texture maybe that will give it something to hold on to. We'll see if everything is still where it should be on the wall when I get home.

Spoke to the gal next door yesterday about tending to my babies... yes my dogs, I worry. Mainly because Mom and Dad won't be home to nag them to tend to my babies. No - she's done it before, she's being paid for this by other people who don't live next to her we'll just make sure everything is tended to before I leave-- we leave.

Frankly I'm worried about my new curtains but they've been up a month and generally have proven to be hung at the right angle to fit puppies and their I must watch all that goes by outside. I can't control it - I'll wave the stern warning and threaten with death and all will be all right. But as a general rule the dogs don't listen that well... enough obsessing.

And finally Bubba called last night he didn't ask about TV we chatted about this that and the other including the offer from Carnival Cruise lines to upgrade to a luxury suite... for a small fee. Now if it was just us - screw it sign me up, however we are traveling with friends, we have purposely booked our rooms close together so we can enjoy the trip. I made the mistake of telling Bubba of the phone call and he asked - I kid you not - 3 times how much was the upgrade. I told him 1-800-Carnival and ask them yourself. Cripes.

And now an update - my darling husband who is currently on the other coast just emailed me to ask for an emergency number in case someone has to call him while we are on vacation. Are you freaking kidding me? (and frankly those are the same words I used in reply to him) I also included the instructions of www.carnivalcruiselines_For_overworking_idiots_ (.com) -- he of course has replied with only the most loving and caring words that involved find it for me and the ever popular helpful idiot. I may have also mentioned tossing his blackberry over board and leaving his fanny home ... yeah the bar bill went up again.

So now I get to go to the website and find a phone number for him... it might just be 1-800-dont-call-me. :-D And for every phone call he gets (which will be none!) I'm ordering another drink it will take me to Thanksgiving to sober up - fun!

Is it Sunday yet?

Yeah - I'm working from home...

Hey I've got a hair appointment today - thank goodness they called... because it wasn't in the all important pink binder holder of all things Aunt Ing. On the up side I was up moving, showered dressed and functioning (ok for me... moving and up right) and on line in PLENTY of time to sign on to the training session that is mandatory before the end of the month. I had to make today's session as the only other option is next week and I doubt I will get web services from the ocean... not to mention attending training on one's vacation... SO not happening in my world.

I also have a long list of stuff to do today, as it will take me 1/8th the amount of time to get this done today versus trying to do it on Saturday. There is a method to my madness.

Shelby is in a frisky mood this morning, she's dropped her toy near my feet - and I'm grateful for the near... her toys have the molecular structure similar to concrete so having those dropped on your toes is generally not a good feeling. I've tossed it she's walked around with it, wanted out - then back in, now we're laying down again... apparently she can't make up her mind what she wants. The hound dog? She's moved the blanket in the office to her liking and is curled up and sleeping-- she will remain in that position until I physically move the blanket to get her up and moving so I can go to my hair appointment.

I was very productive last night, in addition to using the left overs for another meal, I hung my multi-picture frame, only now I think it looks lonely and I want to put some other things over there... but as a sat and thought about it last night and the two holes I put into the wall paper... I figure I'm going to have to get some more of those 3M hanging thingies... instead of holes in the wallpaper... and veering off the path again aren't I?

In addition to the hanging, (of the pictures) I cleaned and repaired the wall paper that was peeling at the edges, its a slow slightly messy process but it worked... of course you have to keep nosey black and brown noses out of your way when your holding down the edges so the adhesive can hold... and keep said color of doggie hair out of the glue and off the wallpaper. I don't have the whole room done but I've got the most obvious issues tended, I'll do more tonight I think.

One of the things I'm also doing is stopping by a florist for some basket refresh things... we will deal with the wrath of Bubba later... the pink arrangement doesn't match the room anymore!! Plus I need some shelves installed in our bedroom and he seemed open to doing something in the office like making bookshelves... him do it? BWAAA HA HA HA... oh sorry (breathe) wiping away a small tear - no no boys and girls, Aunt Ing did not marry Bubba the builder, she married Bubba the accountant with the mechanical skills to rival the most abused adding machine.

Ok signing off as there are work emails coming in that are making my head hurt so I'm off to my appointment then getting my errands run...

Oh final thought... Bubba didn't call last night... so much for guilt; he was worried about his TV viewing- That cruise bill just went up again. We just might be broke by the time I'm done ;-)

It's been a day so far...

So not your typical Tuesday; alarm went off and instead of hitting snooze I apparently turned it off... so 90 minutes later I knew I wasn't making my 9AM teleconference at work. Thankfully we have the technology to dial in while sitting in stop and stop traffic with the occasional roll forward... AND this telecon is getting shorter and shorter so 10 minutes on the phone while sitting in traffic and charging the time - in my mind is win win or making a nice cup of lemonade out of the lemons of my idiot move with the alarm clock.

On the up side I have found you can mute the blackberry - no more swearing at the idiot who cuts you off and have it broadcast across the country. Ah the mute button - savers from thyself.

Then we start conference call number 2 of the day, and head chick blathering on, I am paying attention as I am about to say something then.... the building fire alarm goes off. Now usually the first reaction is to wait because 9 times out of 10 you will then here... "this is a test please disregard..." but not this time... get out! More like fire drill please line up like good boys and girls, stay together and exit the building.

So, tossed off my girl shoes (shoes with heels) and tossed on my sneakers and walked all the way down 2 flights of stairs outside to our designated meeting place, to be checked off as present and accounted for and safely out of the building. So stand around outside for about 15 minutes, then we got the all clear, good job everyone, and then up that one flight of stairs and now I have 20 minutes before the next teleconference.

I am almost afraid to ask what else this day could bring?

So last night I got my living room 9/10ths done, a big piece still missing and won't return until Thanksgiving time frame... I ain't even touching the flipping box... I will get it in the door and leave it where it lies. I don't care if Bubba is on the West Coast for a month I ain't touching it. (that would be the Lladro piece for those with short memories)

And now we know the what else... my original 11 AM conference call was cancelled and immediately replaced by another... this isn't fun.

Now I have an issue - Wednesday is my usual day at home, my counterpart is having an eye problem the one she recently had an operation on and the doctor can only see her tomorrow. Now do I do the good thing and change days, which means I MUST be here by 9AM for a required training class or keep my day with little stress and make the 9AM call... I fear I will do the good doobie thing and be here... I will be up and not turning off the alarm...

Of course knowing me I'll bring the computer home just in case... of traffic, random bird strike or any other non-nature disaster that might impede my way into work. I can promise you by the end of the day I will have changed my mind 6 times. All this thinking makes my head hurt.

One final thing.. Bubba has called both nights since he's been gone, Sunday and Monday - this is very unusual, now did he call just to check that I did indeed DVR his shows or did he call to chat? This is unusual because the standard method of Bubba operation is to call to inform he's on the ground and all is well then rarely hear from him all week... two nights in a row is practically unheard of... guilt or boredom? And what the heck does he have to feel guilty about? I have ways -- plus Bubba is the world's worst liar on the planet - still haven't figured out how this guy plays poker... or maybe when he's doing numbers he's got that cranky constipated look on his face and no one has a clue what his issue is. Or I've just been married to him for darn near 20 years and I know what each cranky constipated look is for - and rarely is it constipation.

D-minus 4 days and counting until we're singing... The Love Boat soon will be making another run.... the LOVE boat.... hee hee hee.

Survived another Sunday...

Apparently Verizon on-line was in a mood yesterday and I got tired of waiting for the electrons to seep through the semi-frozen conductors... and I spoke to Mom so I didn't feel the pressure to post on Sunday. Although Dad didn't return my call... perhaps those woods ate the voice mail... ah well.

So we have survived to play another day, the Steelers apparently think the games are ending a quarter before they actually end... sports radio should be entertaining today.

I arrived early to work today - for some unknown reason my eyeballs popped open at 5:30 in the blessed AM and stubbornly refused to close again... I hate those mornings because now that I am at work they want to close. No- No you were supposed to be sleeping at 5:30 - 9:12 you must remain open and think about being productive. And I will - think about it...

Bubba is on the other coast for the week... smell the calm. It will be quiet Aunt Ing ain't cooking, we leave for va-ca-tion on Sunday; laundry Saturday then you have to look two sets of puppy eyes as they watch you packing and you're heart just melts... but hey they are home, the neighbor girl will spoil them... yep still feel guilty.

Bubba hung my mirror before he left, so I can finish the living room tonight, I think I might go shopping... just to Target... there is a picture frame thing I want. And I'm taking my basket into a florist for some color appropriate flowers, the previous arrangement is pink - that doesn't work anymore... and no Bubba won't notice.

Now if my Steelers basket would arrive it would make my coffee table work perfectly... :-)

So as it is Monday we must face the staff meeting... heaven only knows that this week will bring. check back I might have an update... or not.

Saturday... ah Saturday...

I've worked harder today than I have all week. Cripes. The day started with the alarm, and the snooze button and the alarm and the snooze button and the cold wet nose and then a bit of whining but no one was listening so I got up and let the dogs out and fed them breakfast...

We made our way to the semi-annual all you can eat pancake breakfast at the Lodge, enjoyed then I went to 'work' at the yard sale. Don't know the total amount raised for the Ladies, but Goodwill is in for a haul, cripes the stuff we had left over. Oh well, I've got books and video tapes in my truck going to the Animal Shelter thrift store. Good deeds all around today.

Now surprisingly Bubba has been in a reasonable mood today. He even did me a favor and did a Wal-Mart run for the Any Solider.com project we're shipping this week. (Check out the website my group has been sending stuff for 3 years, it's goodies from home the our fighting men and women request, frankly shipping is the biggest hassle.)

So now home, bushes are trimmed and I didn't have to witness the usual swinging over our head of the gas powered tree trimmer while standing on a ladder... fun. I was the manual labor, use un-powered rake clean up trimmings put into bag and put out by curb. Keep things simple in my world and it just works.

That is done, Bubba and I had a chat about the living room, believe it or not boys and girls - stone cold sober he said he liked the curtains and the paint. I know frozen margaritas for all you sinners tonight. Now we are debating our dinner options, it's 2 hours and counting until the puck drops for Hockey night in Germantown. And all promises to be a good night... please don't let me just have jinxed it....

So that's it for today, clean kitchen, laundry in progress, Bubba is packed, dogs are sleeping in the sun... my goodness could it be a picture perfect day? Darn close.

Enjoy your Saturday night! We'll chat post game Sunday - or Sunday AM depending.. ;-)

Welcome to the land of the underwhelmed.

Decorator made it, she moved furniture, I moved it again, and that was that - no extra bits no pillows no nothing. Disappointed? Yes. More concerned about the fight that was and did occur when Bubba got home? You betcha. Let me quote, "what did we pay her for? You paid how much for this? I could have done this we waited for her why?" And on and on and on... thank goodness for the hockey game - it's like Shelby with a cookie - he was easily distracted and thus ended the argument.

In the end I paid for someone to point me in a direction, get me pretty new custom made curtains, select a paint color and we're done. I'll put the room back together and as Bubba is gone next week I will deal with some things next week when he's gone and all will be well.

And at this stage of the game - my vacation is in two weeks, work is starting to look busy next week, so I need to get things done this weekend and then bless it done. And the next time my Bubba mentions the cost or the lack of whatever decorator thing... I pulling his kyptonite... his mother. I will call Mama Bubba and tell her to get her boy off my fanny. Better yet find out what drug she slips Daddy Bubba that he never says a word when she spends it by the bucketful... and yet there is no yelling, screaming or relentless whining via cell phone.

Hey its new its different - the dogs are all confused as the furniture has been moved, (that was fun yesterday) and Aunt Ing is happy. Even though Uncle Bubba has managed to suck the very life out of the fun of all of this....

New plan! My vacation - I am so taking mama's advice not only will I be on a floating vessel I will BE the floating vessel... why yes I'd love a drink before dinner - yes, a bottle of wine with dinner would be wonderful (oh did you want some? Order another bottle this one is mine) , Oh we must have a cocktail to celebrate our leaving port, getting up in the morning, sailing into port, tying my shoes, getting them on the right feet... (which might be a challenge later in the week)... you get the idea. That should send Bubba right into pop-off-ville :-D Yeah I can be a stinker when I want to be... hick

So the weekend is full of fun and frolic ... up early for the pancake breakfast (eating not cooking) a ladies group yard sale, then tree trimming at home, then thankfully it's a hockey night in Germantown... so I can probably talk Bubba into take out then .......... bliss............ Bubba on the West Coast....yep I'm a total stinker. hee hee hee

We'll chat this weekend so Mama don't worry...

Place your bets...

Do you think the decorator will show today - or shall we play the spin the wheel of excuses? I am desperately trying to hang on to my sunny disposition and glass is half full look on life that she and her handy man will show today... place your bets; spin the wheel everyone is a winner.

We've got 2o minutes to D-arrive time... no call but I don't want to jinx it...

Lovely fall day here in Maryland - life ain't so bad but I have come to the conclusion that I want to be Bubba in my next life... I got to thinking about this last night when I was cooking dinner and he was complaining about not being able to find the hockey game on the TV...

I present as evidence, yesterday - he got up, showered, drove to the bus stop (I know! I shocks me too) went to work, reversed the commute, came home. Now there was the 15 minute phone call to me to bitch about the decorator and the of course the cost, (think Charlie Brown teacher as to what I heard when he started on this tired tune). I am sure the stress cause over this issue which we have rehashed for the better part of 6 weeks is very upsetting to his royal highness but listening to it is getting quite old. After all the money has been spent in spite of my best efforts and using every long stick like object I own my magic money wand as remained elusive. Where is Diagon Alley when you need it?

And once again I was wandered off the path haven't I? Those little twisty-turny parts of my brain are really starting to take over...

So, I also awoke yesterday, let pups out, fed them breakfast, logged on from home, worked all day, cleaned off the dining room table in preparation of the non-arrival of the decorator. Worked all day, Cleaned the kitchen, thought up something for dinner, it isn't spicy lettuce wraps with special sauce but it was editable and relatively good for you. Cooked said dinner, and cleaned up afterwards, fed the dogs, clipped their nails with Bubba's help. And went to bed, oh yeah and I folded the last load of laundry and dried the cleaning rags (cleaning lady was here Monday - see previous posts for my appreciation of a clean house with my doing!)

You know reading this - scratch that - next life I'm marrying money. My goal in that life will be to be a trophy wife. LOL

It still amazes me that nearly 20 years have gone by that Bubba and I have been married, and while I am sure at 3 AM while holding the pillow over his sleeping form thinking - if he'd just quiet down I could sleep and I swear I won't wear a red dress to his funeral.... then you remember CSI and fibers in his lungs and your finger prints on the edges of the pillow and you figure - another wedding anniversary ain't such a bad thing. ;-)

Stay tuned for a decorator update...

Quick hit for the mid-week

Just checking in, on a lovely Wednesday - remember Wednesdays are great because I don't have to drive anywhere to get to work... I'm home the pups are snuggled in and work is work.

Decorator is due here today at noon, why am I worried? Maybe because every time I've gotten excited about all this decorator stuff something has happened to suck the air out - usually his name is Bubba but we'll see. At least it will be done!! And I can get some other things done. And yes probably spend more money - after all I have it right? ;-)

Doctor visit was wonderfully quick, it was the dermatologist, here use this, check back in a month no worries. Don't you just love those quick hits? Frankly I sincerely hope I'm done with doctors for a bit - just tired of dealing with them. Watch me get sick.

The morning weather has been quiet, calm, there was morning wetness but then the sun came out - then all of a sudden all the trees are moving you can hear the wind - it was like early in a horror flick. You know everyone is sitting by the camp fire the cool kids are making out - wearing nothing but their underwear, their chubby geeky friends are cooking hot dogs then the forest goes quiet and the wind starts to blow through the trees..... AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Sorry I had to do it. LOL

And the decorator just called, her handy man has an issue so we've rescheduled for tomorrow - oh dear two days at home. What will I do? Can you tell the boss is in Florida? Hey - I AM working! (unless I'm blogging) ;-) On the up side? I get to meet a friend of mine for lunch! Life ain't so bad! But now I've got to deal with hair and makeup - I figured I was going to be doing some heavy lifting, but now... oh dear... (people please I'll slap some stuff on my face so I don't scare the general public and pull a brush through my hair... life is entirely too short for that much fussing)

Ok Sports radio just mentioned something that I wanted to blather about on Monday... all this pink on my NFL football players. Pink, on 300 pound linemen, people please, oh sure a few QB's can get away with it - guys named Brady, Palmer or Manning come to mind but anyone on the defense please. Yeah yeah, support breast cancer its for a good cause but yeesh that was all a bit much. Football is a tough sport and all that pink was just a bit much... put the sticker on their helmet and be done with this I was starting to think I was drunk and seeing pink football players like dancing pink elephants... (you have to be a child of 70's Disney to get that)

Well this got longer than I expected, so I'm going to sign off and actually do some work before I have to meet up for my lunch date... :-)

Who needs coffee?

When your husband scares the living life out of you at 6:40 in the blessed AM? I was up showered and moving earlier than usual this morning, as I'm leaving work early for a doctor appointment ... so up moving out of the shower then I hear and see Shelby, growling and not the good one her tail straight up and not moving CRAP! I am standing there in my towel thinking what idiot burglar keeps coming when faced with this big black dog growling and how fast can I dial 911 and find that firearm...

Then Shelby's tail starts to wag and out appears my husband, I should have shot him just for general purposes... but then there would have been blood and well - then there would have been puke and blood... then a stain on my carpet - sooo not worth the hassle. Instead I grumped, "What the F is wrong with you? And why are you home so early?" (things not said - why are screwing with my morning? and other 'oh great he's home' line of thinking) But it was certainly entertaining to watch when the old boy is motivated, how quickly he can get things done, he was unpacked, undressed and in bed before I got out the door ... must be tired... poor thing. (yeah whatever)

So I made my way happily to work (well Ok not so happily more like -time to make the doughnuts... only making code) and my Tuesday morning commute was a show, think outdoor disco. Lots of blinking lights, broken glass and twisted medal don't ask me how it fits it was just the thought that popped into my head as I passed my FIFTH accident of the morning; all I needed a Donna Summer soundtrack and it would have been complete... (and another peek into my brain scary isn't it?)

So mug in hand, caffeine now fighting its way through the 'wanna sleep' parts of my brain and I'm on my second of three morning teleconferences. The boss should supply pastries for Tuesdays just for showing up - I mean really sitting at your desk listening for one person or another blather on they cover the stuff I cared about in the first 10 minutes then we have to sit and listen to everyone else... snore. Now the meeting at 11 - I pay close attention to.. it's the one that talks about project funding. Aunt Ing likes those paychecks. ;-)

Sorry Mom nothing exciting but stay tuned the day is young and Bubba his home things could turn any minute. Or if the gods are kind it will remain quiet... but I'm not counting on that.

Its Monday and the sun is shining

And apparently I've got to log on daily or Mama worries. ;-) She called to check in as I hadn't posted all weekend. Well, Saturday Bubba left at (I kid you not) 4:00AM to catch his flight to Vegas - his loving parting words to me as I lay in a semi-conscience state? "Don't spend all the money..." um who the F is going to Vegas butt head? So as I laid there in a now full conscience state wondering what time the mall opened I finally fell back asleep until the cold nose and gentle scrap of the first 3 layers of my skin awakened me to Shelby's need for breakfast - and to go out.

So up, showered, dressed and off to get my car's oil changed, ran to the Wal-Mart to stuff for the girl's meeting Monday, to the mall for some new makeup I was out... only to discover that the brand I like was going out of business... they were getting one more shipment .. screw it found something else...

Now I have to ask WHY would you put a woman behind the makeup counter when my first reaction was OMG! This woman had painted her eyebrows to a point in the middle to a shade of brown that most would call black, she had on eye shadow that looked like sparkly dirt, and this god-awful shade lip stick that was somewhere between blood red and gag-you-pink. I wouldn't buy make up from this woman on a dare... much less pay full mall price for that! Someone needs an intervention with that woman look just because there are free samples does not mean you have to use them all - at the same time...

As Saturday was a lovely day weather wise and frankly I wasn't in the mood to shop (I know - I couldn't figure it out either but hey I figure it was sun deprivation) So I went home let the puppies out, and sat in the sun played with Shelby she STILL doesn't get the whole fetch idea... you throw it she gets it, then runs around the back yard for a while, then you move toward her, get the ball throw it - repeat until one of you decides it isn't worth it. So I sat out in the sunshine with my book and enjoyed...

Sunday - ah Sunday, again woke to the tender loving touches of Shelby's paw gently scraping down my exposed leg letting me know that it is 7:35 and I have slept in long enough... so sort of awake and pups are out and fed, I sat on the couch for the next two hours I was tired and not entirely interested in getting this day started. But I did - baked cakes for the girls, made icing got it all packed up, then remembered I needed to make a quick bank run for the cleaning lady - so packed up the girls before football got started and got that done...

Now I have to figure out a way to shut Shelby up when she's in the car with me... she barks in threes then stops and starts again.... picture this -- an enclosed space (oh I have the windows down) Shelby in the back part of my SUV, and you hear BARK BARK BARK...pant pant pant pant BARK BARK BARK... and on and on and on for the entire 15 minutes it took me to get from point A to point B... and the little stinker when Bubba is in the car... no barking.

And then... ahhhh clean kitchen, laundry done, errands done, cakes done, icing done... dinner done... I settle in to watch Steelers Vs. Chargers on Sunday night Football Night in America.... or what I'm starting to call 3 talking heads with Tony Dungy and 6000 commericals... yeesh.

But ah then kickoff, and that first half... ahhh it was so nice... defense, offense, a running game, it was - lovely. (excuse me I have to wipe away a tear) Lovely... then the second half... apparently the practice squad somehow changed places with the first team as I watched in shocked horror as the points for that other team started to rack up - you were up 28 to zip -- ZIP NADA NOTHING A BIG FAT GOOSE EGG... and then suddenly they are within one flipping touchdown?!?!???!!!! Where is the defense of the first half? Did you boys think just snarling at the quarterback would stop the pass? No gentlemen - one must play an entire game not just the first half. And do you have any idea how hard it is to fall asleep when you people pull this kind of crap? Aunt Ing does not enjoy seeing 2 AM on a school night - it does not make mornings go well... well no mornings don't go well as a rule anyway - but tired and cranky is not the way to start our day now is it?

So now it is Monday, work is uneventful - again today and will be again tomorrow. I--- oh work is work it sucks and I've got to get busy as I've got an audit to face in November and internal review in another week. Kill me now.

Oh I didn't even mention those young men on skates! How cool was it on the NHL network to see the pregame ceremony to raise the banner of your STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS... very nice. Ah, it is all good, football, hockey Bubba 2000 miles away what more could a girl ask for?

One one last thing - I MUST school the people in my life NOT to call while the Steelers are on I have literally hung up on a Slippery Rock "we-need-money" call when they called during OT - what is wrong with these people?? Now family knows heck they're watching too... but there are others who need to know this is just not done - and don't think I want to chat while you have me on the phone - and I tell you that the Steelers are on - impart your oh-so-freaking-important-information and hang up already... yeesh. At least one gal had the good sense to call on the commerical.

Now--- that is all enjoy the rest of your Monday.

Boring.....

My life today can be summed up with that one word... boring. We did sleep in a bit - all the way to 7:15 AM (yeah I know for some folks that's REALLY sleeping in on a work day)

Did the usual morning routine, less yelling as Bubba will be home "early" and drove into work. "Early" because I'll believe it when I see it - oh wait he's not coming home early for me its for him so - he will be home early. For something for me in which he's getting home "early" it would be 6PM. Apparently I'm still a bit cranky at him...

My day started at the meeting place, I met the guy to fix the freezer - you remember Monday night, ladies group mopping up melting ice in a long dress.. any who - Wednesday check and see what we need, then Friday AM come and fix it. Now this did work out for me (and it's all about me -- remember that!) as Mr. Fix-It was an hour later than he said he was going to be, and I had my document up on my lap top and the blackberry at the ready, I was email available and working on the document. So no charging of vacation time for this foolishness...

So, an hour late, no worries I had things to do and it was there and set up it wasn't worth the gas or energy to shutdown my computer and go home only to 10 minutes later to do the same thing and go back to where I already was... so I stayed put... Long story longer I stayed he showed, all fixed.

I do have to tell you I knew I was in good hands in terms of repair guy because when he bent down to unplug the unit - I got flashed butt crack.. ewwwww... but I'm sure the sign of a guy who knows how to fix things right the first time. (sorry that struck me funny)

So, by the time boy wonder got done and we have temps under 70 degrees in the freezer its noon and I'm headed home to finish my day at home. YEAH! No commute and better yet no commute home. As I've gotten 1 work related email in the past 3 hours I think my not being in the office isn't a great issue.

So working from home two days this week, life ain't so bad. Plus I cleaned my kitchen, ran the dishwasher and enjoyed lunch. So the pups are happy one is sleeping at my feet the other is patrolling the back yard and the front windows... I feel so safe. The first ner-do-well person that breaks into the house my dog will bring a toy and drop it at his feet... good thing she looks tough.

Have a great weekend, Steelers on Prime time Sunday night - Friday night hockey and Bubba leaves town tomorrow - things are looking up!!

Mom and Tech Support - part 2

Didn't think I'd leave you hanging did I? Besides if I don't write this all down now by the time I get to work tomorrow I will have forgotten it all...

My job in this little drama is I am the geek and mom needs 'help' -- let me 'splain something right here... Mom has a love/ hate relationship with technology, she thinks it's neat but it doesn't think like she does and it really ticks her off when it doesn't work like she thinks its supposed to. She gets a little wrapped around the axle one might say...

So tonight she's scanning a document (a task we have previously conquered) and then attach that file to an email... something we also have previously conquered but since she hasn't done it a while -- I got the call. You know on a side note someday I'm going to switch to an Indian accent when she calls for tech support just because... and again veering off the path...(thank you come again)

So we have the document scanned, I tell mom to save it - and remind her to put it somewhere and name it something she will remember, I come by that rusty bucket memory real honest.... So she does that then goes to send an email to my brother - only she doesn't have his email address in her email - she's got to go to Dad's email so since we saved it under Mom we must scan it again, and again, because we put it in word then didn't save it or we're not sure where we put it or something I sometimes tune out... it hurts my head.

So we switch over to Dad's "side" and scan again and save again then open the email and try to attach the document. Now you have to understand again that computers don't think like Mom and vice versa so at some point you have to sit on her (via the phone line) and practice deep breathing techniques so she can see and think clearly from the red haze forming in front of her eyes when things are not going her way... again some things are just hard wired aren't they? ;-)

Now of course during the "MOM! Listen to me!" yelling portion of our deep breathing exercises I heard my Dad in the background laughing like heck muttering stuff about blog material - frankly I wasn't thinking about that until he mentioned it...and the wheels started turning and since the computer was up anyway... here we are.

So finally we get the document attached to the email - twice and she sent a copy to me... yeah. Problem is I can't read the file she attached, it has a .docx extension on it and I don't know how she did it... I'll email her the instructions on save as with pictures and then print it out and stick in the snail mail... 5 bucks says she gets the written pages before she figures out the email...


LOVE YA MADLY MA! AND THANKS AGAIN!!!

Since the first one was boring...

It has been a tale of 2 days the work day then the home day... as previously stated I was at work way too early but I get home early too... down side, Shelby thinks it's time to eat when I get home and is spaz dog until that blessed hour arrives. She spends a lot of time outside during those bouncy times... all that barking tends to make a person a bit - testy.

But now Shelby has been fed, she's been loved and played with she's still barking but at least we're at defcon 3 (5 being bouncing off the walls 1 being asleep). I have dinner planned I purchased with the aid of a coupon (I know - shocker to me too) a gourmet kit... I had a coupon other wise no way I'm spending that kind of money on this little box... I digress.

Bubba has NO idea that one may arrive home from a work day prior to the hour of 8 PM. No I'm not kidding. So per usual arrival time I began prep of yes-you-can-cook-out-of-a-box... dinner. I can read so this can't be that tough... but I know me so I carefully follow the instructions and 22 minutes later we have salmon with Dijon mustard sauce wrapped in puff pastry with veggie orzo. I liked it Bubba did not. He "liked the fish not the rice" - a direct quote.

But that was after the blow up of the evening... (remember the cheap therapy part?) the credit card bill came in today and like an idiot I didn't open and prepare for the hurricane that is called Bubba - I dumped the mail and chilled out. Stupid me. Anywho - he opens the credit card bill and begins to list all the entries - this is nothing new boys and girls we check EVERY line of EVERY statement EVERY month. He's not Super Accountant for nothing... and remember he's perfect. (in every possible way).

Well, on this month's "spending spree" we had a Vet visit and subsequent surgery ($1100), my and mom's baskets from the party (first time in 5 years I've spent over $50 bucks) the last payment to the world's most inefficient decorator, and the various regular monthly charges, food, gas etc... and one book charge but that was for the niece so just minor grumbling there... and there began the winds, and the rains and the yelling and the personal insults. I am not an irresponsible person by nature and I write the bills out every month - oh I can't balance that checkbook to save my life but I have NEVER bounced a check. What I can never understand is my husband's thinking that I spend like a drunken sailor on a 2 day pass. I worked with a woman who claimed she was so mad at her husband she spent the mortgage payment on new clothes... I could never do that.. getting back to that whole liking of indoor plumbing and such...

Anywho - my feelings are hurt, and after I have slaved over mustard salmon with puff pastry no less... I mean really is the man a complete barbarian?

The thing I have been quietly wrestling with this past week is drunken Bubba versus sober Bubba - frankly I'm going to start to liquor him up. He's funny, affectionate and yes repetitive... but better than what I got tonight. I really hate being talked to like I'm an idiot - some gems from tonight? "Just because you think you have it doesn't mean you should spend it." "What kind of life are you living?"

I thought I was living a life where when the doctor said Cancer I did the first step to check then make decisions - if it was Shelby we'd not been having this discussion no matter what he said tonight. So dinner eaten I still made his favorite in a can rolls with orange icing (another coupon -- I know I was going nuts!) and the one thing that saved my night? Mom and tech support...

Holy cow it's October - when did that happen?

I lost the month of September - I mean where did my summer go? This sucks. Oh sure I was thrilled when football training camp started -that is still summer - pre season still summer - oh wait things started to count... still warm, but now it's October and I'm in long sleeves the defroster on the car is working... I hate winter.

oh sure snow is fun the puppies have to remember what to do with it every year but it makes getting from point A to point B in DC impossible to make it PDQ. Ok I'll stop ASAP. lol Stopping! Sorry feeling a bit goofy today.

On the up side if they even call for snow I can smile sweetly and say "I'll work from home" that way if it does snow I'm not stuck... of course it usually doesn't get cold cold and then that stuff doesn't stick until at least February. I could take one month of cold. I don't know why I'm whining, it's only October I'm not wearing gloves, coats, layers, etc. Its just not summer.

Ok I have to ask - is there anything more boring than fantasy football? (baseball hockey...etc.) I mean really - how pathetic does your life have to be to root against your team just so your guy will get more points? People where is your loyalty? Not to mention the entire 'draft' mess, tracking your guys and injuries and the like... Pick a team and live with it. Of course I may feel differently if I grew up in Detroit but I didn't so that's my opinion. And remember opinions are like belly buttons everyone has one. And I won't even get into the time radio is spending on this mess - and how exactly does anyone get to be a fantasy guru? And why would you?

Now on to this decorator, she 'claims' she didn't think we set anything up for this week.... of course we did - you called be because you can't get your stuff together... I intend to hound this woman that she will finish this room just to stop hearing from me. And frankly she really blew it I belong to a ladies group, I deal with other kids Moms I very friendly with my neighbors I will not be recommending her to any of these people. Stupid woman.

Also looking forward to a nice quiet weekend - as I said Bubba is off to Vegas and Aunt Ing will enjoy the peace and quiet... and Shelby's barking. And violet's response but I will have sole control of the remote, dinner choices will be mine, and I won't have to deal with the Bubba... until Tuesday.

Oh the up side of October? Besides all this fun sized candy about? My vacation... cannot wait. Off to interface with the procedures documents so others don't have to....zzzzzzzzzzz

later