Saturday Zen...

Errands are run and with Bubba along - he lifted the heavy bags of dog food, Shelby was getting low and Violet was out. So major bucks for Shelby and a coupon for Violet - no my two pampered princesses can't eat the same doggy kibble? Please people.

Shelby gets the organic - pricey natural stuff - which makes Violet sick. Violet gets sensitive systems stuff and occasionally when she's in a puppy snit gets a little of Shelby's mixed in. My dogs are not all dogs... in that I mean the hound (Violet) is a fussy eater much like a cat - and frankly perfers her creature comforts to just about anything - but she's not real interested in a feather on a string - so go figure.

Shelby is part cow - I have never seen a dog eat grass they way this one does and not have it "revisit" due to occasion stomach upset. Nope - with that dog... well let's just say it all comes out in the wash... and leave it at that.

So... dog food got, lunch enjoyed, book store for the niece turning OMG- 7, off to the Wal-mart for batteries (with coupon), a grill cover - not found as summer is making it's way for back to school - and greeting cards for wedding next weekend, birthday and a good friend who needs to hear a good word.

That all done - we head home, Bubba of course heads out for a massage. I am home with pups sleeping outside in the sun and me inside with a cool glass of iced tea, and the bills to pay and the checkbook to update. OH and a sink full of dirty dishes... which will be dealt with when the mood strikes me.

I don't have to shop for groceries as I will be a single and swinging kinda gal - and we all know when Bubba ain't home Aunt Ing don't cook. And that is Saturday Zen... take the good life when you can get it.

Quick hit for a Saturday... enjoy and stay cool.

THAT lesson learned...

What lesson do you ask? Well it's the lesson of lug your computer home whether or not you're going to need it... why - because some day - you will need it. Last night the A/C died, not fun as I had used the oven, stove and other tool necessary for that cooking mess. The upstairs was a bit - shall we say warm?? Now on the upside - it wasn't 600 degrees with a side of mung to go along with it.. it was actually almost livable.

So, up quick shower, dressed, head to work... putt putt putt finally get to work, pack up my laptop and stuff I need, head back out and head home. In the meantime, I had a 9 AM conference call that was taken in the truck on the way IN to work... my usual 10 AM tag up for major project on way HOME from work. Then I get home, set up, a bit later Mr. Handy arrives from the A/C company - 20 minutes I have working A/C and all is right in my world.

Well except now Bubba is expecting dinner tonight - to be cooked I might add. Groovy. So in a few minutes I am going to head out to the store, get what I need and head home. I gave thought of sending Bubba to the store but a) he'd come home with crap I don't need and 2) there would be phone calls in the line of "do you want shredded cheese or can I get the lump stuff - because per pound calculations show a .6 percent price differential between the two... where at this point I stop listening about "per pound..." and simply say "get the shredded stuff" basically because its one less kitchen tool to clean. But that's just me.

So got through the week, Bubba is headed out of town and so things will get quiet for a bit... we still have no read on the job situation - but he doesn't seem too worried so I won't for now. Until he's home alone, in my house for more than 48 hours. Then I will have to find new places to hid things I don't want Bubba tinkering with - like the bleach, any laundry project, -- let's just keep him to the outdoor projects. Yeah that works.

Ok back to work, well mostly this last save, go to the store then home and wait for his royal highness to decide to get home... oh and he's planning to clean siding this weekend. Oh what joy what bliss...so planning a manicure after he leaves for the west coast... ;-)

'splain this one...

My darling husband - while yes still employed (for now) has beat me home - 2 count 'em 2 evenings IN A ROW!! I know! Last night when he called and discovered for the second night in a row - in about - oh 7 years that he's beat me home he goes off on this rant about how I cannot "nag" him for working late.

Wha? You manage to get home before 8 Pm two nights in a row and I've got a major project dropped on my lap and suddenly you have a high horse upon which you preach? Oh no no no, Mr. Man. When you beat me home, tend to the dogs, feed them, make dinner, clean the kitchen and maybe pay a bill or two - then you can mount that horse... for now you're still looking at the tail end.

Of course I have the shovel.

I'm really starting to hate how my day starts... with a telecon from the guy who is usually pretty laid back - but now all of a sudden is main lining double espresso shots. Yeesh. I took my time off, now that I've been back I've 6 of 17 checklists done I've got another 6 in progress and I'm working on the last 5 - I've got another week to get all this done, I'm doing the best I can right now you bouncing in San Diego ain't making this go any faster. Oh - and had I had more than 15 freaking minutes notice - I too would be 1) further ahead and 2) more eager to get ahead on these checklists... but you didn't so you get what you get and pretty much live with it.

And now there is thunder outside... which means my commute home just got hosed... rain plus DC traffic equals slow crawl home... and another opportunity for Bubba to crow about getting home before midnight... then wondering what is for dinner.

It would be wrong to take vacation alone right? Yeah probably.

I'll just go get a manicure... :-)

Dodged a bullet there skippy

Me? Nope not this time.. Bubba called me at work yesterday and said, boss is coming into town tomorrow - for one day - he never does this. What does this mean? It meant that probably Bubba was going to discover how the house works because he was going to be sans job...

Fast forward to today... boss didn't come into town - reprieve - and he's traveling next week. Go figure. One the one hand I'm glad he's still employed and has a place to go each day... on the other I was looking forward to a house bitch. (term of affection when hubby is home and wife is not... longer story)

On the third hand - because apparently I've morphed into an alien - I would fear for my home if Bubba was home alone for a full day - and I would have to start screening my calls for he would be calling - about every 30 minutes with stupid questions. Plus there is that whole hiding the bleach thing again.

Work is... nuts. Right before I left on my glorious weekend away from home... I got tasked for the major audit project - now has I have had a few days to not think about it and now that I'm in the middle of the muck and mire I'm still not happy but I have the wisdom of the older woman to basically tell the people freaking out that - lack of planning on your part does not a crisis on mine make. I will get you what I can get you and you'll like it. If not - produce your post-audit report and I'll go make up -er - go find the artifact you want. ;-)

Its nice to have help, and I have it but they are a bit clueless, no biggie I can direct direct clueless. My main issue is the daily tag up with a man who is usually pretty mellow - but this time he is like a teenager with a life time supply of Red Bull - Lou - sweetie - decaf. Find that California Mellow - seriously I may have to slap you up side the head. Metaphorically. (He's in San Diego)

Training camp starts Friday... ah Steeler football... hum... Steeler football - idiot QB, dire predictions no playoffs, 8-8 season - cripes. Screw it - hockey starts in October and I'm still hounding the websites for tickets to the winter classic. Yes paying through the nose to sit in an outdoor football stadium on New Year's Day freezing my backside off to watch a hockey game - through binoculars... I really need help.

that is all for today. Off to think of something for dinner. Heaven help me.

OMG almost a week!

Well - I would have posted Thursday but I was busy doing the Verizon shuffle - where you are shuffled from some call center in India back to somewhere in Canada, so some where near my home only to be put on hold - again or hung up on again and you got back to the starting point of "welcome to Verizon we're hear to see if you stroke from anger before we actually answer your technical question." No I am not kidding. WASTED an entire day without a connection - 3 hours of 'no-help" help line only to get my connection working at 6PM. By that point I was so hot under the collar I'm surprised the shirt didn't have singe marks.

Then - then came the weekend - gone for 4 days with the neighbors, the dogs, a lot of wine and a long drive. But it was worth it -the ride up was long but moving, the weather - mostly cooperated and in wonderful vacation tradition ate too much drank too much and enjoyed every minute.

Now we are home again, work sucks, and I was up and out the door at 5:30 in the blessed AM. Now I am too tired to type - so quick hit for tonight - more details tomorrow. Stay cool.

Not your typical Wednesday

Nope - I'm at work. *sigh* BUT - tomorrow I am working from home, then we are off the wilds of camp and all sorts of good things!! I love camp, it's peaceful, it's quiet, its relaxing. Bubba can't take all that nature and quiet and doing not a whole heck of a lot. Its just not his nature.

His whole family are a bunch of nervous Nelly's - ain't a one of them can sit freaking still for 15 minutes without bouncing up to do something. Which is why they have magazines in their house and I have books.... lots of books. ;-) That and Bubba's taste in TV sucks... although we have noted that there are some good shows on the cable/dish box which makes it nice after another day from heck to sit and be entertained with a good story... nice change of pace from the usual Bubba fair.

His gauge on "quality" programming? If before the program begins there is a note of violence, language and a chance of nudity... well he butters the popcorn and I bury my nose in a book. That boys and girls is how to make it married 20 years... share space not necessarily taste in programming... and thanks to the genius that is DVR - chick programming can be "taped".

Now with all the forgetting birthday Bubba butthead talk of recent weeks, he again redeemed himself - he was on the phone for the better part of an hour talking to my sister about all the money. She had some questions, she is apparently house shopping, and he gave her some good advice - I hope she listens. She's smart - she'll chew it over and think with her head no matter how much she wants out of the spaces she's in now.

Just got done with the boss man and my new tasking of yesterday and just want a Everest of crap I was handed. I think he's slowing dawning to the bucket of doggie presents WE all have been handed. (Why yes - I will be drinking heavily why do you ask?)

I am hanging on to a long weekend, and no cell service.

Light a candle for me - I'm going to need it.

Can Tuesdays become Mondays?

Yes, yes Virgina they sure as shootin' can... let 'splain - and I'm not going to sum up ;-)

First I overslept got a late start and still sat in traffic. Fun - and there wasn't any blinky lights or smushed metal to look at. Frankly I think the little boys in cars slow down to watch the construction equipment working on the side of the road - but that is just me. I'm in the truck behind them chewing my steering wheel wondering how to get my hands on a ray-gun to blast their poky backsides out of my way!

Then I get in and discover I have been "selected" to gather data for the upcoming audit... KILL ME NOW... why do you ask? Because I will have to rely upon the good folks in the deep south - who routinely do not answer the phone when they see a certain Northern Va area code...

Now my nice long weekend is being eaten away... possible may have to call in on Monday... that would suck. I have fielded questions assured our deputy manager that yes indeed there is A LOT of freaking work to be done before now and August 10th or whatever the deadline date is.. they said it I am still processing this... groan.

And what am I going to do with testing when I have to get back on a plane to the deep south? I'm trying hard not to think about it...

Now on the upside - I needed a piece of technology - figured it would take 5 years to get it - it took a few hours... it's on my desk. Amazing. Which also means i don't have an excuse.

Oh and did I mention the woman running this show - she doesn't like me much. I will be drinking at work - I think that goes without saying. They sell wine and beer at the local box store - savior of all things crazy.

So raise your glasses to another audit in my world, the need to pull artifacts out of a certain orifice of my personal person, and the nagging, bribing, and out and out fights that are going to be my working life for the next 3 weeks.

Signed - yours in drunken splendor... Aunt Ing.

Please explain to me...

How we can go from SNOW-mageddon to 98 degrees with 100% percent humidity in the space of 5 months (they are called seasons you idiot - look it up) Regardless it just seems amazing to me that after 6 million pounds of snow a spring that was either freezing our backsides or baking them we are now under the full broil cycle. Yeesh it's too hot to think much less do anything outside. Oh sure you 'run' to the store - in slow motion because any sudden movement and you're in sticky sweaty country and it ain't fun.

On the up side - it nice to be inside the A/C running well (thank you god) the pups have been in and out - mostly in - and of course napping.

Bubba has been gone most of the day, met his buddy for lunch and a look at the friend's new apartment, then a massage, and we've got a cookout at the neighbor's tonight.

I went to the store and got the makings for my stuffed strawberries, not a tough recipe, just a bit time consuming. But I got it done, had some lunch and have pretty much putzed the rest of the day... it's been a good one. I have also paid the bills but I haven't cleaned up the kitchen, that was a mood that hasn't quite hit yet. ;-)

The census lady showed up - I don't know why but I answered her questions - nothing I was terribly unhappy about. Shelby of course made sure we knew she was inside - and not happy about being there... no biggie.

All is quiet here in the 'burbs too hot to make much of a ruckus... ;-) Stay tuned for me sweat your a$$ off later.-- if it only worked that way.

That is one way to start a day...

With a 5 Am wake up call from mother nature - her calling card? An earthquake!!! Yes - you read that right - an earthquake here 20 miles north of Washington DC. Now I didn't know it at the time, 5 freaking AM I'd be lucky to know my own name... we were snug in our beds then it was like a rumble, a shake and all sorts of knocking from things close enough to the wall... Bubba and I sat up and looked at each other bleary-eyed and asked, "What the heck was that?" I got up looked outside thinking thunder - clear as a bell - Ok, Jet? When some idiot flys somewhere over DC he's not supposed to go they escort said idiot to the local airstrip behind us and the jets have rattled the house. Unknown - figured I'd check the news later... much later.

Screw it we went back to sleep - flash forward 2 hours and as I let the pups out to start our day, I flip on the Today Show and there we are! Germantown, MD epicenter of a 3.6 earthquake! Well shut my mouth and call me cornbread! We got all of 5 minutes on the Today show - local morning talks were all full of it - and it was fun. A friend of ours in the local TV business has gotten a lot of face time today because she was on the air just as the quake hit. fun!

We got our day started and it then looked like every other day... *sigh* 6000 cars all going in the same direction as me... but it's Friday in the summer so traffic wasn't so bad. We'll hang on to that...


Now on to another topic all together - Bubba's lack of a sense of humor let me demonstrate in full color: Bubba manages to get home about 8:30 last night, no worries I know the boss is in town and he said he would be working late. He gets home, he starts his little dig and I quip - "Came home empty handed again tonight I see" well didn't that just twist and bunch up his tight-y whites. He goes upstairs changes clothes and then................ LEAVES THE HOUSE! No lie, he leaves and about 30 minutes later he comes home with a dozen red roses. Of course they were from the grocery store it's the only thing open that time of night. LOL

I graciously accepted them and looked at him and said, "You dork - you can't take a needle? the guy at work asked how happy Mr. Wong at the jewelry store was - you're getting off easy." (per usual) Now we are both in the kitchen, a peace accord having being reached, I put my roses into a vase, I see a label of the roses that say "Freedom" (some days it's just too easy) I look at him, smirk and say "just because it says Freedom doesn't mean you're off the hook"

He laughs, I laugh and all is well. Plus in the time Bubba was off shopping a friend of mine called apologizing for missing my birthday - but her life has been turned upside down and stirred with a side of shaken. Her mom, a very nice lady, has suddenly had some major health issues and my friend has had to shift her life all around to tend to her Mom. That was the big guy's reminder to me that a minor blip in the life is just that and enjoy all the blessings that are before me.

With a tap on the chest and wink to the big guy upstairs - message received. Plus I tossed in an extra prayer for her Mom.

I think the rest of this day will be pretty anti climatic (knock wood) considering it started with a shake and a rattle - then I rolled down the road. (I had to work it in somehow!)

Bubba the goat....

Reads better than the braying jacka$$ doesn't it? ;-) Let us replay yesterday... it was my day - everybody gets one special day just for them, it's your birthday and yes while the numbers get bigger you are less inclined to make a fuss but you still want a little something-something from the person you married...

In a moment I can only call Karma biting Bubba's hind quarters - he pulled into home as the neighbors were headed over to give me A BIRTHDAY CARD. As he sheepishly handed it to me, I smiled and said, "You forgot didn't you?"

He smiled, the smile I know he's about to shovel a great deal of manure and said, "I remembered - just too late to do anything about it." As I quipped, "about the same time you were handed this card no?"

He tried in vain to say no before the card - which I don't believe because if he had he would have come home with the usual store flowers - graciously accepted.

Now as I took the time to pamper myself, had phone calls from all my nieces, on my side of the family... got gifts from Mom and friends, a very funny card from the neighbor so the day wasn't a total bust - wasn't a total win either but take the good when you can get it.

Now he did get cranky when I pointed out to him he had no leg to stand on this night -so any comment he had to make on what ever issue he felt was necessary to nit-pick that evening would go unsaid. He got cranky when I quipped, you couldn't even be bothered to go to the Giant and buy your wife some flowers for her birthday?!? I get the boss is in town - I said Monday we'd do dinner this weekend, but as you were reminded on Monday - a little acknowledgment that it is my day... you got a birthday card when you came out of the shower on YOUR birthday. But then again I am the unorganized soul in this house - we get it, multitasking is not something Bubba does well. *sigh* I should know better - and next year - I'm ordering my own birthday present... after all Bubba does live better when the house and detail fairies take of those pesky issues for him... ;-)

He did apologize this morning confirmed plans for Friday. We're doing Italian-- I think. Yeah.

More later... :-)

Today is the day

Yep - another anniversary 4th anniversary of my 39th year on this planet. Thus far the day has been quiet... on the total upside working from home pups are sleeping but its a dreary and gray day.

Yesterday was a long day I got in early, spent the morning in the usual Tuesday meetings, putzed about the day - then the last meeting of the day... well the entertainment factor was off the charts. We have a certain method to doing things - not that any of the code jockeys in Alabama follow them...well our customer nailed us very publicly about not following our steps. Boss was ticked.

We were, yesterday, having our regularly scheduled process meeting, and our problem child who wasn't at the meeting, supposed to be off, sent a message that the team had completed work that was just assigned that morning. And that had not been approved by our internal team yet... that pretty much sent the boss into the strapho-sphere of ticked off... and boy did us folks who's job it is it follow and enforce those rules enjoy the living daylights out of that...

Then this morning we had another meeting to discuss the issue - only the major problem child couldn't be bothered to attend. So we wondered what the point was... on the up side we were entertained by the boss shouting at his Teflon boy so that was something. Those of us who are in the know - realize that nothing will change. Except for a short period of time we will get to put the underling code jockeys in between their on site management, and the man who runs the project from a-far... Yeah so much is going to change.

Now stay tuned today boys and girls because I have a running bet that darling Bubba has forgotten what today is. His boss is in town, he told me Monday that today and tomorrow he will be home late; and there was no mention of anything this morning. We'll see. But then again I figure he'll come waltzing in tonight late with flowers from the grocery store... ;-) But hey he will remember... if not well stay tuned to Aunt Ing's visit to the jewelry store.

Debating what to do for lunch, I have to run some errands, I want a manicure and a pedicure, but my gal doesn't work Wednesdays... we'll see. Probably after my 2 pm meeting today I'll head out. yeah that sounds like a plan.

We'll talk later.

MAJOR EDIT....
Bubba got home - earlier than I thought he would... but as the boss had taken him and "the guys" out for drinks and munchies he wasn't hungry... He walked in very sheepishly - holding a card FROM THE NEIGHBORS.

Yes boys and girls - he forgot my birthday. Now in a typical therapy session we would go on and on about how hurt and unhappy we are. Screw that... I'm ticked and now make a vow to nag him into next year so this won't happen again--- and don't you think I won't email him tomorrow as his fanny better come home with something in his hands... that ain't the evening mail.

Now - Mom did counsel that unless reminded the male of the species did tend to forget such things... it's on the calender - which he never looks at - as it is in a room he rarely uses for anything except dumping dirty glasses into. But I digress into oober cranky and frankly I want to save that for Sr. Butthead. Well like I said - he won't forget again... he will receive reminders via every electronic and non-electronic method available to me... idiot man. Off to bed - and I'm going to snuggle up with a good romance novel where the men are made up and the women aren't in their 40's.

Well....

Long time no chat eh? Friday was so freaking quiet all the way around there wasn't much to talk about - Saturday and Sunday Bubba was on the computer - he has to take on line classes for his CPA - so I can't say much. Plus I enjoy the peace and quiet... such as it was.

Saturday - we were up and moving early. We had a Lodge thing that was a quick meeting regarding the building. Then we went and had breakfast and that was pretty much all she wrote. We did get his car's oil changed, and then headed home. I'm sure the pups were happy -- until Bubba broke out the doggy shampoo and headed outside. Pups don't like the outside bath, it's with the hose and that water ain't warm. Violet still enjoys the all over body rub, but that cold water really makes those long legs move. While he was outside doing that I was washing doggy blankets, doing the bills, checkbook and dishes - you know the magic fairies of the house. ;-)

We did go over to the neighbor's and played a fun new game -- I won!! I never win. Of course now that Bubba has played once - I won't win again. It's strategy and money and dumb luck... guess how I won... yep dumb luck. :-D

Sunday I woke early with heartburn that would put most men down - I ate Tums all day long. Finally post dinner I started to feel better - go figure. Anyway... Bubba apparently woke up with a plan. He did go grocery shopping for me, and to get his car washed. I figured I had HOURS... only ended up with 90 minutes. However in that 90 minutes I got a lot done as Mr. I have a plan proceeded to rattle off all the things that needed to be done - as if there was ever a question as to who would do these things... i.e. laundry, dishes, doggy nails, and gee dear - when don't those things not get done? When I home...

So we again enjoyed a quiet Sunday - he on the computer - me doing what needed to be done - and with my nose buried in a book. This weekend pattern will continue for a bit has Bubba has a lot of credits to catch up on for his accountant-r-us billing. He used to be able to go to fun conferences in fun places and get most of this done with... those days are so over. We did discuss our vacation plans... nothing booked yet... but we talked.

So now it is Monday again. Staff Meeting Monday - again. Nothing being said - again. Going to be a quiet week - again. Couldn't we find a way to balance those crazy weeks of 80 hours and weeks were 8 hours creep by and you watch the bits and bytes ... and then there is that thing that occurs in the middle of this week... *sigh*

Oh - and did Bubba mention he would probably working late Wednesday and Thursday... yeah.

Stay tuned for rant #451... some days are important to remember-- dear.

Oh so Random...

Ok, so the day started with; "get up get moving and don't screw around downstairs"... and good morning to you to Mr. Happy. A certain someone had to be at work early and we still had to pick up my car from the mechanic. While I didn't "screw around" I wasn't moving too fast anyway. Butthead...

I made my way to work, fairly uneventful... it's getting later into the summer (the later in the summer the lighter traffic) Except on Fridays going home that always seem to be the problem child during the summer. Toss in a pre-season football game and well I just get comfortable.

Work today has been very quiet, again its the quiet after the storm... then there are flashes of lightening. All handled.

Bubba will be home late tonight - insert happy smile here... I will not be cooking - or it will be something quick and easy. OH! And he actually walked home last night from the bus stop!! Oh he came home hot and sweaty I even offered to come get him! Go figure.

Another random thought for today - where I work it's basically Department of Defense folks, and us scum sucking contractors (read the papers) so who in their right mind spent money on ad space for the New York film school? Seriously? We're nerds, geeks and retired gung-ho Army men (and gals) Film school? Do a little research - of course there is the neighborhood.. but I don't think the women with at least 3 children and their full body coverings will be into film school either... but who knows?

Steeler training camp starts at the end of the month... debating the trip to make my offer to the QB - you need a Monitor on Moron (MoM) - hire me sugar trust me the words Ben and DA will not be used in the same sentence again. Or maybe I'd just like to slap him in the back of the head and shout (in heavily accented Italian) SNAP OUT OF IT. But then again he's had enough bumps on the head the boy is probably still leaking brain cells as we speak. Band-aid stat!

Watched Moonstruck the other night... great movie... still.

You know - I'd like to have State of Play starring Russell Crowe for the birthday coming up... they call him Yinzer and he's got Steeler gear all over the place. :-D AND he was all over DC... and I missed every opportunity... stupid working for a living.

I really think working at home on the anniversary date of the day of my birth... oh SUCH a good idea. Because drinking at work and trying to drive home would be a bad idea - drinking at work and not having to drive home...much better idea. Watch the boss call a conference call that day and expect my participation... yeah that would be my luck.

Ok enough random for today... these were just some things swimming in my sleepy brain. Scary -- isn't it? ;-)

Hot enough for ya?

That is the singular most idiotic question a person can ask when basking in 100 degree heat... and no it's not funny ... I want parts of my car melting in the summer sun... dufus. I am home, sitting in front of a fan with the dogs sleeping - well they were...

Work has been quiet today, a good thing. Dropped my car off Bubba found a leak of indeterminate nature so in it went. Now it's done, they think it's here, and we'll watch it. I hate those answers.

I dropped Bubba off at the bus stop today, I expect a phone call to come get him when the bus drops him off - and I have no problem with that today - it's hot. Hot hot, Shelby doesn't want out hot...

On the upside the new bed arrived today!! It took all of 15 minutes, one guy carried in the mattress one guy carried in the box spring, they swapped the old for the new, carried the old ones out and wha-la done. I was impressed. I signed off in 12 places and it was done. I even offered ice or water, but they said they were good. Can't wait to try it out. ;-) Sleeping people really-- what else do you do on a bed especially after 20 years of marriage on a school night?

Now I have to come up with something for dinner, cook it and deal with the rest - I dug out the kitchen while I made my lunch today. SO not in the mood to deal with that... oh never mind I have something I can whip up but I did promise Bubba his veggie dish tonight - so we'll have deal with that... no biggie. That's an easy way to keep him happy.

Also started researching vacation spots today, he's making life a bit difficult but when he gets home we'll talk and hash it out... but I won't mention a certain date I want to be home for. Its a lodge thing - and we know how happy he is about that stuff... We'll deal with that when the time comes.

All right not much on my mind today... its hot, work is quiet, I broke a nail very short today and I am in desperate need of a manicure and in one week, I will celebrate the 4th anniversary of my 39th birthday. I will not be sober that day... you have been warned - and I will not be held responsible for any postings that day. In lieu of gifts - flowers because frankly boys and girls I don't feel that flipping old... some days I feel a whole lot older. ;-) and sometimes I don't.

It took getting back to work...

To get access to the Internet... Bubba when we were home, decided he wanted to 'play' on the computer... now as we were home, and it was mellow - I buried my nose in a book and figured I could chronicle our weekend when I got into work... besides who wanted to interrupt all that peace and quiet --- NOT me...

So, let's start with the good... Friday night-- Bubba got home early, we went out with the neighbors to happy hour with margaritas and munchies - it was lovely weather outside and while the service was less that adequate we lived with it... on the total upside - I worked from home and it was superfab! The pups were happy... until we were late with dinner but once served all was forgiven.

Saturday - ah Saturday. Bubba's alarm - yes the alarm went off early why? Because he had a massage appointment - seriously. Who in their right mind books a massage at 8:30 AM on a Saturday?? More time for me to sit and veg - because as we all know - when Bubba is up so is Aunt Ing... because the dogs are up and demanding food. So he comes home all rubbed and buffed and happy, I am sort of moving, showered and debating on how to spend my day... then he decides we're going shopping. It was my choice new washer or new mattress... I was hoping the mattress shopping would be easier. I don't know what I was thinking.

Now on the upside, he did feed me lunch first-- it pretty much went downhill from there. We went shopping for a major purchase... I knew like I knew my name this wasn't going to be quick or easy. Went to store #1, laid on beds, get a feel for what we liked and didn't... got names and numbers and moved on to store #2 a little more hard sell, more sales people we found the same bed, different name, not terribly interested in buying from these folks, so we move to store#3, smaller, less offerings, salespeople were busy, we laid about no interest, moved on. Store #4 - after we made a U turn on a major highway - at the light... small store, eager sales staff, we obviously were the few people who walked in whose first language was English... Bubba the Arab trader in a former life was out in full force. We moved on to store #5 (no not kidding) which was the same chain as store #1, we talked, Mr. Salesman obviously had a great deal of time to look on the Internet for all sorts of interesting mattress facts (I would be drinking at work if that is what I had to do all day... I digress) so we found a bed we liked which was different from the first bed but after all the laying about who the heck could remember which bed was which... so more numbers... back to store #1 - we found the same bed sales person we liked and Bubba kicked into high gear... we got our bed, it will be delivered tomorrow when I'm home and its all good. A mere 6 hours later...

Bubba did feed me dinner, we went home, loved and fed the pups and i just stared at the TV... all I could see was a land filled with mattresses, pushy sales people and me clinging to a floating mattress muttering "I want something fluffy"... I really shouldn't eat chili before bed.

Sunday - ah Sunday... We slept in, we went to the good bagel place, enjoyed, went grocery shopping, yes more shopping with Bubba. With coupons. I managed not to bean him with large produce, but as I sent him off to go find ___ (insert item here) as I shopped part of the list, went and found him, gave him another thing, did another portion of the list - so you see after 20 years I have developed some coping techniques. So, shopping done, he decides he has to go back to Mattress store #1 - where we actually purchased said bed... let me recap, we've just spent the better part of 2 hours in the grocery store, we have a trunk full of food, including milk and meat products requiring refrigeration, its 90 plus degrees and Bubba wants to go talk to the salesman at the mattress store where we had ALREADY made the purchase... because he wanted more details to do research. YES - he wanted to do research on a purchase already made. WHO DOES THIS???

So I sat in the car - waited 10 minutes, texted him "100 dollars worth of groceries are being cooked as we speak"... and another 5 minutes went by - I turned the car on and jacked the A/C... then he shows up. I held my tongue only because I simply do not understand researching something you've already bought! You have made the decision!! MOVE ON... but he will chew this bit of fat until I pop off and tell him to let it go...

But on the total upside... the rest of the day was quiet, I sat in A/C loved the pups when the woke up, wanted in and out mostly in as it was hot, and just chilled out.... we had steaks for dinner.

Monday... a good day as well, Bubba decided he needed to go do some running, his parents actually stopped by on their way home, we had a nice lunch talked a bit, and off they went and again, Bubba was on the computer,I had my nose buried in a book, we had burgers for dinner... now in a fit of keeping the house cool, I didn't turn on the oven to cook the potatoes... of course he had a fit - so I cranked the broiler burnt the crap out of his potatoes, and ate mine happy all the way around. Screw the electric bill.

I didn't get much good gossip out of the in-laws, other than they bought a new bed last year and paid $600 bucks more than we did. Of course neither one of those folks would go to 5 different stores and work the numbers like an accountant on crack working to stretch that last nickel into 10 cents... so where did HE get these ideas??!!??

Listened to my mother-in-law discuss Niece's attributes and the newest member of the family and how she laughs and likes to be talked to... yeah not really interested. Its my issue... I'm working on it... sort of. Nice to hear my last minute order for Granny's birthday arrived, on time and was very nice... nearly missed that one... but again the magic faeries have saved Bubba.

And now I'm at work, my friend is on vacation, and this week will not be great - I can see it coming. I need a nap - so I'm going to get some lunch.

Yeah yeah yeah...

Three days and not talk... sorry my brain had a hard time catching up. We left the deep south, very nice flight, great weather home, Wednesday was 9/10's fab-o including an afternoon massage and home - comfy and with the pups... life was great.

Of course the fly in the soup was work - got an email says I have to log on and deal with stuff and it comes into my email at 5:30 pm... so logged on, cooked dinner, made Bubba happy and moved on with my night.

A fun find when I got home Wednesday was the dishwasher apparently darling Bubba in a fit of "she's not here" just tossed whatever was in the sink into the dishwasher regardless of whether or not it fit, belonged in there or would melt if he got the idea to start the darn thing up... since that wasn't an option we dodged that bullet. So I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher made dinner and enjoyed a quiet night at home. The house wasn't much of a mess as the cleaning lady was in the day before I got home... it's all good.

Thursday was a work day and for some reason very very busy, meetings and follow up and bla bla bla... left late to avoid some traffic - it work mostly. Got home tossed dinner his way, did the dishes but even with a full dishwasher the sink is still full... back at it...

Now Friday - ah Friday. Work from home day, no messing with traffic day - got a surprise phone call from a friend day... had lunch with her.. it was all good - a bit of gossip and a bit of lunch it was super fab...

Now Bubba calls and wants to do something fun this weekend... after we trim trees. Yeah. The day we are trimming trees will be the nice day - frankly I'm tired of going and doing and was looking forward to home time and perhaps a movie. He wanted to go to an amusement park - on July 4th weekend in 90 degree heat -- this from a man who doesn't like crowds... seriously.

So I mentioned the above - ok well I shot down the amusement park idea in a blaze of glory - no freaken way... I don't want to bike around the river all the cool skinny people do that and I don't want to be the fat chick on the bike-- which I will be AND when I can't keep up with Mr. I have to peddle really really really fast for no reason - he'll get cranky and it's a wasted day. I wanted to walk with the dogs in the woods and he reminded me of Shelby's elbow and yeah she probably couldn't take that but I don't want the dogs locked up all weekend either - I want to be home...

Of course the whole time I'm working I was "sitting on my lazy fanny" so why am I tired? Really. He's allowed to be tired with his travel and work schedule as apparently he must jog in place the entire time -- me not so much. So now I have to come up with something to do this weekend... yeah Friday afternoon... I want to be home and mellow the F-- out. But as that isn't happening I've come up with a few ideas. All of which are going to be hot and crowded because IT'S FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND - dimwad.

The other issue that came flaming out this weekend was the charge on the credit card for 2 new gowns... I paid for two 130.00 TOTAL - not a piece Total... and doesn't sir tight wad just pitch a fit and three quarters I won't quote it's really not worth the effort. But it's not like I don't wear this stuff...and wear it often. His father says nothing as his wife is trying desperately to spend him into the poor house - or maybe that is why he is such a skin flint with me. And yet I managed to pay our bills on time, and still sock a little away so when HIS family comes to call - we're available. I also work full time - and the last 2 weeks WITH PAID OVERTIME. I earned it I spent it - deal with it.

and on that note - I didn't make it to the manicurist today - perhaps Monday I will go and be pampered... after all he's got a massage Saturday morning. Yes I had one Wednesday but that was work related - I needed it. ;-)

We are going out for happy hour with the neighbors... so that is a good start - heaven only knows what we'll come up with for the rest of the weekend... was it too much to ask for to stay home and mellow out? I suppose it was. Signing off... we'll talk more later I'm sure.