Tropical Depression...

Which apparently "popped up" in Florida and danced its way up the east coast... in short words - its raining with gray clouds. But I'm not at work. Unlike my retired parental units - a rainy day at the beach is still a good day at the beach.

Bubba and I took in the VA Beach Aquarium, it was pretty good, sharks and sea turtles and river otters - they were cute - sleeping out of the rain, then swimming. My feet hurt but it was a good way to kill a few hours.

Bubba is now off looking for a massage - and I am enjoying the peace and quiet of the ocean waves and free wi fi.

That is all - after all this is my vacation. ;-)

Outside my window...

RIGHT now --- is the ocean. Yes I have my computer at the beach but that is because my husband is unemployed currently and needs to check email. But I'm at the beach for a few days anyway... can't complain one little bit.

Right now we are trying to make dinner decisions. I hope he hurries a sandwich at the roadside stop at 12 noon is gone. Plus we made an extra stop and had a winery tour - bought wine and got glasses with the tour and tasting to enjoy said bought wine. Life boys and girls does not get better than this.

Well if my puppies were here with me it would be great but for some reason there was a 40 pound limit. That wouldn't get Shelby in the door - much less Violet. So they are home under the tender if absent care of our neighbor's elder daughter and she's good to our girls so I don't worry. Much. I'll call later.

But we've got a chance of rain but as I work for a living I don't care - I will be on the beach tomorrow with my toes in the sand. Tonight - I'm going to eat myself stupid at the seafood buffet and come back and drink wine on my balcony facing the ocean.

The gods are smiling - the best we can do is smile back and enjoy.

That is all....

Oh - and all the grumpy and cranky of yesterday with Bubba -- I apparently could say nothing right--- is gone. (knock wood) It's been a good day and a good trip. Let's eat!

ahhhh......

Party is over... all went well. Bubba is still among the the living and ambulatory so in my world this is a good thing.

People came in waves, the last were the deadbeats who got laid off with Bubba - but it was all good. Everyone left full, I didn't have much food left - and what was Bubba has seen fit to polish off while I was at my ladies' Group meeting tonight.

Oh don't get me wrong - he was in full "get this done" mode Sunday morning - while sitting on his backside watching the NFL network. But the gods were kind, the sun came out - we sat outside with a minimum of "bugs" about and with chairs stolen from the neighbors. So I miscounted there -- I also figured more people would be inside that out at first morning blush of liquid sunshine falling from the sky....

Anywho... he got his knickers in a twist when I told friends that he's had a few interviews but one company with a commute he wanted no part of didn't want him... I still have NO idea what the big freaking problem was... and he has YET to let that one go...

I am sure the recycle guys were oh-so thrilled to see our overfull bin this morning but they took it and didn't post the "drunks live here poster" they've done that before -when they thought we children... (this is a joke people ha ha---work with me here...)

I was even a good doobie - cleaned up the house, washed the dishes in the machine and what didn't fit so that was done. Then sat on my couch and died. I couldn't tell you what I ate or what I did besides run around - then sit and drink for a bit and repeat cycle... but like I said everyone left happy, full and all was well.

Then Monday dawned. It was a nice Monday as we didn't have to go to work. We did drop off my car for a new headlight, and leak check, went and had breakfast, came home and putzed about, Bubba had some paperwork for work to deal with, we checked the forecast for the beach (no comment) and he researched new phones.

YES boys and girls the blackberry addiction is going to pay off for Aunt Ing... he wants a phone to do all the stuff his now dearly departed blackberry did!!! We're looking at smart phones - with buttons and keyboards and email and texting.... it is so good.... Aunt Ing's inner nerd is so very happy. Bubba is having sticker shock crisis. He'll get over it. hee Hee heee..

Stay tuned for more.... and there is more... but we are in blog-us interruptus... later

Welcome to the calm...

Before the storm. Friday was quiet - oh so very very quiet... then at 5:00 Pm on a Friday before I take a week away from work -- it arrives. "Please review and approve ASAP." Now ASAP for the "people" who sent it means they want things Monday morning when they arrive. If I were at work next week - they would be disappointed - since I'm not - they won't be. Aren't I nice?

Grumble grumble -

Ahem.

Bubba called about 5:00 PM - he and boys were done drinking - mainly because he has to get up Saturday morning and go shooting with a buddy. Bonus - he's not hungry. No bonus - I want dinner. So I spent a hour finishing up the 5:00 PM arrival - start home, stop off and get some good cheap wine (I love VA for that) and bop on home - I mean an hour door to door with a STOP! Unheard of! I was a happy camper.

Bubba was up early this morning and gone - I was up early and almost moving. I did make myself grits with an egg this morning - I had a lot of running to do. First I loaded up the car with all the Ladies group stuff and Girl's group stuff I've been housing. Met up with the other lady for swapping of stuff - loading of stuff and general moving on. That took all of 15 minutes and done.

Next I was off to as my sister puts it to the "the evil empire" aka 'the Mart' aka Wal-Mart. I needed party supplies. I shopped and bought and got out of there without too much fuss.

Then off to the grocery store for the rest of the list. Shopped got what I needed, remembered in the midst of all this meat - I had a vegetarian coming, so veggie burgers for her... got everything else. Loaded up and headed home.

Got home and unload.

I have 9/10's of everything ready and the only reason I don't have all the prep work done is because I've run out of fridge space for another large bowl. I was doing so well, radio up dancing with the 80's getting stuff done at my own happy pace... life was good.

The 'he' gets home 3 hours before he said he would. And let the neuritic son of J comes flaming out in all his glory.... "this place is a mess!" (please note I'm still in the middle of prep work so yes the kitchen is a bit - messy) "look at all this stuff down here!! (I won't mention walls and seeing through them.. later when I went to see "all that" it was 2 books and a sheet of paper) Really.

AND the every popular "you leave stuff everywhere look at the stairs" In which I had stacked stuff to go upstairs with me, to be put in it's proper place when I went that direction.... I could leave anything but money on those stairs until the day I die and he wouldn't move them. Money he's scoop up in a heart beat. Today it becomes an issue - because we're having people over.

I would LOVE to find a physcotherapist or something to watch him when he gets like this and tell me what the F triggers this? I blame his mother. Of course why not? But here is my actual logical reason - Bubba Mama is a VERY neat person - she likes her home just so - my pups are not welcome in her home - she had to have been this way all her life... I figure if/when she was forced to have people in her home - she must have been hell on wheels. Everything had to be just so and heaven forbid a family member or small child screw with her neatness. And I get to pay the price 40 years later -- if you come to my house and are offended by things not exactly as they should be... perhaps a nice card would be better from you. Hum?

You'll eat off of clean dishes and sleep on clean sheets but don't expect every book and random sheet of paper to have a proper home. Heck don't expect every dish to be tucked away - there are days it just doesn't happen ya' feel me?

So we're having the "Bubba is out of work and let's eat picnic" - tomorrow because he did have to go shooting today. YESTERDAY he says "I'm not happy we're missing the Steeler game for this."

I just couldn't hold back the THIS WAS YOUR IDEA - statement - and I did toss in a "we talked about this" just for good measure. So - suck it up - cheer on the Cleveland Browns to beat the Ravens and watch the highlights on Sportscenter. Deal with it Bubba - we all do.

Check back late tomorrow for all the details on "Bubba and Company" gasket blowing number 65987, and how it all went off with out a relative hitch. Plus we'll preview the vacation with a minimum of packing! Enjoy your Saturday night!

oh great I'm the project hot head again

Here is the story... I got an email from a gal in the deep south location - I had to check with the guy who knows who charges what to our project - she works for us. Ok fine, called her, left message - 30 seconds after I got her email....

She returned my call and began talking, it started nice enough, I have no clue who this chick was but we continue to talk and she starts talking about what she's doing down there. Its sounding an awful lot like MY JOB. So I start asking questions, she doesn't want to answer she just wants the answer to her questions - and OH by the way SHE is meeting with our Group QA person regarding the upcoming audit... WHAT?

She's been on the project for 5 weeks and has managed to charge an entire 40 hours to the project in those 5 weeks. What possible information could she have on a project she's barely worked on and why is now harping me regarding numbers that NO ONE on this project have any inclination to deal with. I update that particular set of numbers quarterly for reporting purposes
but now apparently she's the project expert who is going to get the engineers to do peer reviews better.

The white hot mad that started this post is now banked to simmering pissed off. I have had enough of this project - this backstabbing bull crap. I am going to finish this project then work on getting the heck out of this job. You can't fix this - then sent it all to Huntsville - after all you've already waved the white flag... why make the troops suffer the firestorm if you've already tucked tail and run?

There has got to be a way to write up that butthead in the south for creating a hostile work environment... off to read up on in the employee handbook... and where is that ethics hot line number? I fix his little red wagon - and his little dog too....

An evening and a day...

Monday evening... cripes I just should have medicated and went to bed. Instead I went to the meeting had issues - more on that later. Then I had issues at home, the application all filled out before I left - not good enough because he thoughtfully left his version with chicken scratch and crappy grammar sitting int he living room instead of the computer room were I left his blank application in the first place. No dear the word "table" in my vocabulary does not translate to TV tray in family room - it just doesn't.

So... 30 minutes 2 copies later I'm done and threatening bodily injury if he doesn't like it... we move on and go to bed.

Girl's group meeting - I am now the social director... kill me now. Apparently the only point of youth groups is to have fun. Heaven forbid we do something to improve ourselves. So we're going bowling and we're having sleep overs and I'm tired just thinking about it all... stay tuned for THOSE fun outings.

I did make it into work today... sharing an office is a new experience - I forget how much I talk to myself. Didn't listen to nearly enough Yinzer Radio - apparently we're the central office for all chatters - oh goodie. But we'll work it out. I'm home tomorrow - and the commute is super fab - Thursday and Friday I've got the space to myself as my office mate is out.

I sent out invites to a picnic on Sunday - yes Sunday. Yes today is Tuesday - panic will set in shortly - wait for it. I will plan and plot tomorrow I have Saturday to shop and hit full panic mode - then Sunday watch it rain and I'll have all these people in my house. What joy what fun. but it will be, friends we haven't seen for a bit, neighbors we owe a meal or three to and just a need to socialize! It feels good.

We're plotting a possible vacation - yeah lets see how that goes! Bubba is interviewing, a good thing, I hope, so job prospects are up - there certainly hasn't been any more discussion of me not supporting him and his "uncharted territory". Oh how soon they forget. Butt head.

But now it's late and I'm fading fast - stay tuned - we'll chat tomorrow - from the greatest commute in the world. Two flights down my stairs. And a day with my pups.

Take the good when you can get it boys and girls.

A weekend at the beach....

Doesn't suck at all.... we had 1) perfect weather 2) good food 3) a 3 year-old entertainment machine 4) no drama and 5) no husband drama... mostly.

The gals arrived Friday afternoon all was well until I wanted to add my one lonely suitcase to the very stuffed back end of Nana's family truckster. So they smushed, moved, shifted and ta-da my suitcase made it into the car. Then we did the same thing for me... who knew a 3 year old required this much crap for 3 days. Between her and her mother they do.

Of course I did forget a beach towel - easily corrected at the beach. Bought 2 - it was a smart thing to do. They weren't thick but they did the job.

So Friday we had a great drive until about 45 minutes from the beach and whoops folks decided to rub bumpers, get police, fire and rescue involved and we all sat there.... then we go there and ... oh dear. We changed hotels this year hoping for a pool that was warmer than the deep freezer in Alaska - in February. The old hotel pool was COLD.

However these rooms, a bit older, a bit smaller and a bit less cleaner. Surprisingly to me my sister didn't have a fit and three quarters but she did grump about the sheets, the bathroom...OK yes the sheets had hair on them... from the cat in the laundry room we noticed the last day. The bathroom was small, old but reasonably OK. Did I mention is was small? Let me put it this way... you honestly could have showered while sitting on the toilet. Yes the bedroom carpet would have been wet - but you could have done it. We didn't -- wet carpet is icky... ask me I know.

But thankfully there was a minimum of grumping, we unpacked the car and I swear I heard it sigh. We put on our bathing suits and decided to test out the pool. So we played and we splashed and we had a good time and no that water wasn't Artic cold the baby was happy it was all good. Then Mom presented us with t-shirts -- yes boys and girls matching t-shirts they were cute, light pink, three women in beach chairs with drinks... it was very very nice... and we wore them to dinner. We need one for Niece M. We went back to the Italian place... when we passed at 4:15 PM Nana was worried because there were no cars in the parking lot... at 6:15 when we arrived, the place is packed.

No worries dinner was enjoyed, relaxed and mellow and it's all good... we went shopping for beach towels and Niece M got a new seashell necklace - too cute for school. She wore it all weekend.

Saturday up moving, dressed in our beach clothes, we hauled 3/4's of our room and the truck to the beach and plop. We stayed ALL day we were all pink, except Niece M, we were salty and sandy and all beached out. So we hauled all that stuff back up to the hotel room, the truck, showered, dressed and off we went to find a seafood place recommended by a friend of Nana's. My sister has a phone with GPS it told me to turn on a road I missed completely - I thought it was a parking lot to the gas station, so I turned at the next light, did a back one back through the back door - saw a sign for "Sunday brunch" took a chance and there we go... we found it!

"Fine Dining" is where we chose to dine. It was a lovely dinner, with a 3 year old grump who was so tired from her day at the beach but she ate her mama's steak like there was no tomorrow. I had the local catch of the day with crab and sauce on top, Nana had crab cakes. We enjoyed greatly! Then we made our way home, stopped at the candy store, oh boy... big bright colors candy at a low level and the better candy at the grownup level... we had a good time. Then Niece M announced that she had to pee... and we high tailed it to the hotel room. 3 year old bladders have a very short shelf life.

Needless to say the chicks crashed early. We awake Sunday and make our trek to the local breakfast eatery. We enjoyed a HUGE breakfast then made our way back to the beach... note for self next time put bathing suit on BEFORE huge breakfast. Yeesh. Ok so hauled all our stuff back to the beach, plop, enjoy, play in the water, play in the sand, fly a kite, play in the water, notice the waves are coming closer to our plop spot. Nana announces, we need to move back the tide in coming in... we move back and 2 minutes later - wave washes over our spot... 20 minutes wave washes into out new spot... 90 minutes were beginning to wonder if we're going to lose the entire beach... but as the sun begin so wane on our last day of fun in the sun and the pinking/reddening of our skin... once again we pack up our stuff, now semi-wet all over sandy, just like us, not to mention salty, sticky and all sunned out. We haul it all back, Nana in a vain attempt to keep sand from her truck wipes down the semi-wet sandy chairs, we pack those away, I decided to wash away my first layer of sandy - salty with a quick dip in the pool. It was nice then again showers, changed and back down the road to the family place with super fine ice cream... we enjoyed.

We again came home and packed up all that stuff... Niece M went to bed early, I watched football, Nana napped, then finally we all crashed hard. Then my sister felt it necessary to be awake and turning on lights at 0-dark - ITS THE MIDDLE OF THE BLESSED NIGHT... turn off the light and go to bed. Ahem. She did, we slept, we woke. Time to go home... thus began the round robin and issues... 1) I think all the crap grew while we were there, I only bought 2 more towels! 2) My sister needed 'girl stuff' but not the girl stuff she had - other girl stuff... 3) found the shop, filled the gas tank, back UP the road to breakfast place - had to have the sausage 4) sat down to breakfast and realized FORGOT THE NIECE'S BLANKET!! Sister trots over to the hotel, gets the door open, finds said blanket trots back about 1 minute after her breakfast arrives. Its all good.

So full again, we head on the road, some motorcycles, lots of big trucks, another accident, but we stopped, peed again got more liquid... moved on with our day. Got home, went to Wal-Mart to return the DVD player - the regular charge cord didn't charge - of course returning this was an exercise in frustration... finally did - got the heck outta there... got home, ahhhh....

Loved the pups, had some lunch, my sister decided to try on her old wedding gown which she is loaning to me for a 'bridal luncheon' for the Ladies Group. Her daughter was all smiles and giggles at her Mommy the princess... Nana's camera had a mind of it's own.. mine wanted new batteries - had fresh handy pictures taken, dress removed, car repacked less one suitcase, one small bag, and one person - off they went. Weekend over and I am alone.

BUT... not before darling husband called without having lunch until 3 PM so he was tired and hungry and cranky at me... he needs me to "help" him fill out an employment application he needs for an interview tomorrow. No I am not kidding. The man's penmanship is something close to Shelby doing it - so I have to do it. Now again he's got his tighty-whiteys all in a bunch because I have a meeting tonight and he won't be home before I leave for that. And then he starts blathering on and on about how his application is more important than my meetings and "lodge crap" and he needs... bla bla bla - I quit listening.

Needless to say I had it done before my mother and my sister made it to the Pennsylvania state line... there are 4 lines that I can't fill out because I simply don't know that information. For all his whining and grumping it's done before he got home, I will fill out those 4 lines when I get home it will take 5 freaking minutes and it's done. What -- I ask -- is the flipping issue? Can anyone tell me? Seriously?

My beach Zen shattered to itty bitty little pieces with one whiny-cranky-ass phone call. Screw it I'm going back to the beach. I don't care how burnt I am.

Signing off now because yes I have to get ready for my meeting and feed my dogs. News on Violet and her health later. I do look forward to sleeping in my own bed... too bad I have to share.. ;-)

Since I still work for a living...

ANY day at the beach is a good day for me... unlike the parental units who bailed on a rainy day at the beach. That being said I need to send my father a big kiss for sharing his cold, they were here for 2 days across a week and still he managed to share this cold.

Yesterday was the worse and that shot of NyQuil about 2:30 last night helped with the sleeping but it didn't make getting up early this morning anymore useful...but I don't care - I'm going to bake this away at the beach, don't call me.

On the up side I did have to get up and get moving, I had a coupon for an oil change, at 8 freaking in the AM thank you very much... but it was in out done, I mailed my card and my book. Went to Wal-Mart and got my niece her portable entertainment unit her mother asked me to pick up. Now I am home putzing a bit, I did check email at work only because my office mate emailed with a bit of chat -- I had to respond. Not like it was really work related. ;-)

Now I'm finishing up the to do's before I leave and Bubba arrives - if I have things organized he will call less... trust me.

I'm off to pack, about the time I'm heading out Bubba should be landing. Timing is everything people. Chat at you Monday... hopefully with good gossip and good stories.

And remember for the working man... any day at the beach is better than a day at work.

A new view...

A new view from my desk to the hallway, outside to a road, trees, sky, and *sigh* Russell. We are down to two posters but its all right, Mr. Gladiator, and Robin Hood grace my wall and all is well.

I unpacked my boxes, got my office set up, futzed with the monitor, lap top docking station, phone placement, found another power strip so I could plug one into another and not have to shove my desk so close to the outlet I'd have to suddenly be a size 1/2 to fit... so not happening.

I have wandered the hallways and found where people are, found the kitchen, with TV! Discovered the bathrooms have codes on the doors - this could be an issue with a bad commute and coffee but let's hope not.

All my boxes are unpacked, my take home bag is back in the office and carefully tucked away - or in some cases, tossed in my desk drawer because I don't have any other place to put them. I have removed all the extra chairs to the gathering post in the hallway... it's very sad, you see these chairs sitting out there all alone by this post - like the loneliest meeting ever... or a ghostly gathering.... Ok those officially stink to high heaven.

And we're moving on... I'm off Friday and Monday with the chick trip to the beach - all is sooo well.

Bubba is home tomorrow - while I'm cruising my way to sun, sand and surf... all is still good.

There is an outside bet on how many times his royal highness calls me this weekend - I figure at least 2 Friday and one each day after that. I will let you know.

Oh goody - its raining so my drive home is now screwed. Which is fine because I'm not leaving for a while yet-- it took some time to get in... along with taking the wrong road to the new office... yeah yeah yeah like I can read a map. Any who I got here late spent my morning unpacking so I guess I should spend the afternoon working. (and posting)

More news and I am sure gossip from the weekend... stay tuned.

Random Day...

A stroll through the various and strange musings of my mind.... (please do NOT start singing memories.... ick)

The Case girls are all tucked into our beds... drifting... sleeping.... then urp; urp -- doggy barf. Yeah. 1:30 in the morning. Lights on - once my seared eyeballs have adjusted we see my poor Violet standing there looking even more pathetic than usual. And I see Shelby on Bubba's side of the bed looking at me like - "ewww" Yeah she's her father's dog.

On the up side I didn't have to tend to Bubba and his temper before tending to the pup and cleaning up the mess. So cleaned up the mess, realized she hit a shirt of mine... it wasn't on the floor mom - hanging over the basket... ah well.

So tended to pup, carpet, shirt and doggy bed, soothed sick dog - got bubba dog tended I fell back into bed and laid there and listened to them snore. Yeah that's me.

I figured she was feeling better about an hour later when Shelby was grumping because Violet wanted to share her blanket rather than the dog bed she was sleeping on. They all settled in - and the alarm went off...

Up moving, dressed and off to ---- the dentist office. Yeah a fun time was had by all. Regular checkup, some x-rays, a quick check, scrape scrape, clean clean and we're done. No cavities Mom!! Aren't you proud?

Took care of a few errands, email my office mate as to the state of our office, and discovered we have only one network connection - still. The phones doesn't reach her desk, AND we are going to have wires criss crossing the office. I smell workman's comp on a dreary early morning.

Then made my way home, because I know now... there are only wires with a plastic bag in the place for the second network connection and it's my usual day at home and I want to be close to Violet. So my office mate got first dibbs, and set up our locations for white boards and nagged the local admin folks to get power cords and network connections done - oh yeah and phone cords long enough so they can sit our on desks... no I am not kidding.

The phones have 2 foot cords - so apparently the phone installer thought our fung shway (spelling yeah yeah I know) was to sit on the floor to use the phone. Fung this buddy boy - I want my phone on my desk - deal with it.

Called the vet because - well a sick puppy needs tended, but doc doesn't work Wednesdays... so tried for when I was off work - no such luck. So Bubba is going to have to take her in on Saturday... right now he said no problem. I promise you there will be grumping later in the week--- place your bets they are for suckers.

And finally I think every week should be this nice, work one day with a trip from heck... (optional) two days at home, one trip into the office then a day off... can't beat this with a stick. And I better enjoy it because it won't happen again anytime soon...

All right signing off to keep looking busy - its been a slow email day... and that's a good thing.

WOW - shame on me...

3 days without a vacation excuse - what was going on... oh wait I actually remember...

(cue the way back music)

Sunday... up, showered and moving and on my way to the other side of the beltway for my friend Cindy who lost her mom on Labor Day. It was a lovely service and remembrance for Charlotte and the pictures were great. It was another side of a woman I liked very much and will miss. Cindy Mom would be pleased and probably a bit embarrassed by all that but as you said - she took great pride in her girls, you did her well.

Then home, and in pop the parental units. They left the beach because it was raining... yeesh to be retired. But it was nice to have the company and to have dinner out. Also I got the watch the Steelers muddle their way through that football game on Sunday... NFL Sunday ticket - one weekend only. Nice to see my black and gold boys but not worth the $$$ for the rest of the season - plus I get to go out Sundays with Bubba and not cook! Always a bonus.

Plus always nice to sleep with other folks in the house - I don't hear things creak as much - although last night I probably wouldn't have heard a thing - I was out! Busy day.

Monday... ah Monday what a mess. Started out nice, Mom was here, made me breakfast, had coffee cooked it was very very nice. Got on the road.... and sat there... and sat there... and TWO HOURS LATER - I arrived at the office. That is not an stretch for comic relief or rant - that boys and girls is the actual door to door time, left Germantown at 8:20 AM and arrived at the office parking lot - 10:20. I emailed my counterpart and kept her appraised of my inch by inch progress. There are days I wonder if it wouldn't be faster for me to walk to work. Not that I would - but that random stupid thought does dance through my head.

Of course with breakfast and a nice cup of to-go coffee - not counting on a two hour tour (anyone else hear music?)... Aunt Ing's bladder was full and letting her know - LOUDLY. I am very very grateful that no one else was waiting for the elevators, or in the elevator - because it's not cute when a 40 something year old woman does the 5 year old gotta-pee dance. And its really not cute when she goes running from the elevator to the ladies room, tosses all her carry on luggage (purse and computer) on the shelf and finally is able to say aaahhhhhh. And oh yes so very very grateful that there were no witnesses to her - um - dance and dash.

So with that kind of start one would have the misguided hope to have a less eventful day... and as they say hope springs eternal.... Boss man in town... staff meeting... then a visit to the new office... that was interesting. The smell of new carpet - an office I now must share, and one - count 'um ONE network cable... for an office for two people. AND that plug is on one side of the room.... who came up with this mess???

We get that issue tended - we put in an IT ticket with corporate IT... with any luck I will be working at home for a large number of days... yeah yeah wishful thinking. Oh and did I mention there was no desk, two chairs that won't be comfortable for anyone to sit in... and a view of a gas station and Radio Shack. Change is so not my thing. But I will make do.

Then we arrive back at our office to find....THE OFFICE MOVERS ARE HERE... ah - gang 2:30 PM is NOT COB (close of business). With my afternoon now shot in the fanny I finish packing up my office - and while I'm doing that the movers kept poking into my office -- I'M NOT READY GO AWAY. After all it takes time to gently carefully roll up and tend to certain movie posters that cover up the institutional beige that adorns my office walls. Have some respect for the Glad-GoodYear-RHood poster wallpaper - seriously people. (and only one person will get THAT reference).

With things gently rolled and tucked safely back into their protective coverings, the docking station packed way, the monitor wrapped and labeled and all boxes labeled, sealed and ready. I was a sweaty mess and not thrilled with the idea of a meeting tonight... but leaving early was a definite bonus. So I hauled all my stuff outta there, got on the HOV road with 2 minutes to spare (before the must-have-a-rider time clicked on) got home in less time that it took to get in, loved the pups, relaxed, cleaned up, dressed up and headed out to my meeting.

It was quick it was good, and I got home, loved the girls and went to bed and died....

And here we are conference call Tuesday. Most are done for the day, one more to go ...

Bubba is on his last trip to the West Coast - of course he had a trip to Vegas with the boys from high school first -but it keeps his keel even so we don't say much. He will be home Friday - after I'm gone to girls weekend with Mom, Sis and Baby M.... so can't wait!

Stay tuned for more exciting times and life - and perhaps I may start tossing in a dose of No-doz... ;-) Stay cool.

Remember the Date

September 11, 2001.

Fly your flag, remember a loved one, tell a friend you love them and remember those who gave all - freedom isn't free.

I remember where I was, the conversation I had with my parents, and smell as I accepted a position in that building just after it all happened. I spent the next 9 months watching what blood, sweat, and determination can do to repair a hole in a building... and in your heart.

Remember a solider, say a prayer of your choosing, remove the hate and fear and remember, act and go.

Friday... ah smell the weekend

And it has a fresh clean scent! Mostly because Bubba left at o-dark-30 this morning on his way to guys' weekend in Vegas - now before you start citing the "guys movie" relax he's done this before and always manages to come home tired but no worse for wear.

My standard line is "don't bet the house and don't get arrested" we still have the house and I don't ask about the second - as he knows he calls home for bail money - he's going to make some NEW friends before I bail his fanny out.

I didn't post yesterday - why? It was so dead quiet that there just wasn't a point - I was bored with the thought of trying to pull something creative out of that day! Bubba did get his royal knickers in a twist because I got home right after he did because I stopped by the lodge to drop off a key and do a bit of stuff with the ladies. AND I got an email with some work that had to be done ... which I did... after I (deep inhale) got home, let the dogs out, changed clothes, pulled out the pizza makings, made HIS pizza (I don't do mushrooms), put it in the oven, let the dogs in, fed them, waited for Violet to eat, logged on to my computer, got connected to the work net, took his pizza out of the oven, make my pizza, put it in the oven, started the review, took my pizza out of the oven, served both, ate my pizza with two dogs at my feet, finished the review, closed it all down and then went into the living room and finished my meal.

Bubba got home, got the mail, went through the mail, looked at my burnt out headlight, fiddled with that, (they are those super brights - need a special tool to replace $$) nagged me for 15 minutes why the eye doctor is charging to the health insurance - like I have a clue - changed his clothes, ate his dinner, grumped at me.

His line? "You could have had that done if you hadn't gone to the lodge." Seriously? The email came as I was making my way home - so the time line wouldn't have changed much. Butthead.

Poor baby had to get up early - cry me a river how many times have I said on this very page of darling honey turning on lights, shouting questions of the stupid nature while I was trying to sleep for an 0-dark-30 wake up call - and not for something fun!! Oh no -- for me it's work. But I had to make sure his dinner was ready as he had to get up. Deal with it darling.

But I won't dwell on that - no- tonight - I get to enjoy sole control of the remote, no cooking for over a week, and the peace and zen that is Bubba traveling. And I better enjoy ever freaking minute of it because this is it - after this he's home -- all the time -- every day -- every night -- expecting meals and laundry and heaven knows what... KILL ME NOW!!!

Ahem. I'm fine. Really. I will probably check in this weekend and I won't have anyone shouting "what are you doing in there?" when I get on the computer. The dogs just follow me in and demand attention or fight for the 2X2 space under the desk. and they respond to the command, "go lay down" -- mostly.

All right signing off for a Friday - stay tuned for adventures in office moving - that coming attraction is next week. Along with the change in our commute - minor but it's a change.

Hump Day

And it was an uphill climb let me tell you! Yesterday was very nice, telecon after telecon, got a few things done, oh and the commute? Simply fab... yeah I worked from home. That boys and girls is a well honed lesson learned - EVERYONE and their third cousin returns to work/school/traffic problem child the Tuesday after Labor Day. Aunt Ing works at home - or takes the day off! Previous trips in have taken the better part of hours... multiple hours... for a trip that should normally take 45 minutes.

So it was a nice productive day at home, Bubba arrived home at an almost reasonable time, we did dinner, the parental units arrived about 9:30 PM as we are their stop over between their house and VA Beach and the convention of Shriner's. What fun. We talked, we ate some dessert Mom brought along. Then we all crashed and went to bed. It's an exciting life isn't it?

This morning up moving, the folks were up and moving helped Mom with maps on the computer so she could take the route I send her versus Shirley the GPS. My father has named the GPS Shirley why? Because he programmed it to have a British accent and there was a movie I gave Mom years ago about a British woman who got tired of her regular life and went off to Greece for 2 weeks without her husband. Good movie. Makes my father nervous.

So... Mom is mapped out - I shower and head out the door.... Mom made me breakfast - isn't that nice? Love having Mom at home. Of course it took forever to get into work, but alas summer is over and one must slog through the mess...

Work was work, packing up offices, we move next week oh won't that be fun? Monday night is my last day in the that office - then we move to the new office. Hey its 10 minutes off my commute and a hunk of traffic lights I no longer have to deal with. So I got that going for me which is nice.

Then... Mom called, they made it to the beach, only problem is... then can't find their reservations so I pack up and run home to get on her email and get her confirmation number. Of course by the time I get home they found it - someone had cancelled it for some unknown reason but they have a room and now they are pool side. Yeah - great - thanks mom - one breakfast sandwich don't make up for that one.

On the up side I'm finishing my day at home, and it took 45 minutes to get here. Bonus in my book.

OK so I'm off to actually get back to productive type work and then cook dinner for his royal highness who I am sure will have some whiny pain in the backside comment about the 3 hours he had to deal with my parents. Go to Vegas dear and grow up.

Later...

Long Range plans...

Let me start at the beginning... Dear old Dad-in-law aka Bubba Sr. stopped by today on his way back to parts south from his trip to 'da burgh.... another long story on how my in-laws live... perhaps I will document another day hum?

So, Bubba Sr. arrives and we head out for lunch/breakfast - take your pick combo. We have ordered are enjoying some family chit-chat and Bubba Sr. drops the bomb that gave me both joy and a cry (internally) of "oh crap". What was this joyous news that my in-laws new place would be ready in October and I already have that weekend booked, Bubba Sr. said he was looking into retiring in August of next year..... AND..... (wait for it) Bubba Mama was planning to go to Hawaii.... WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

Let me repeat that - Bubba's mama wants to cart her entire family to Hawaii. The look I saw dance across my husband's face was - well that is where "joyous" came from because that was REALLY freaking funny to see that expression somewhere between a grimace and a frown and ah -- I can't show those faces to my father... then to see the wheels start to turn on how he was going to get out of THIS deal.

Now for those 2 people still left on the planet earth that don't know about my in-laws let me paint you a picture - or just let me tell the tale.

Let's start with Mama and Papa Bubba. Papa Bubba works, all the time, he is very much like the man I married, open talkative, social (sarcasm here people). My mother-in-law is the original neat freak - and I do mean freak; she wouldn't use a dishwasher in a house she bought because "It wasn't my dirt, and even bleach didn't clean it right". This was stated after her son pointed out that the water inside a dishwasher was boiling or better...

My in-laws won't come up for their own son's birthday dinner because my folks dropped in one year. Seriously. I can't make this stuff up people.

Next we have Bubba Sister - a person I can take in SMALL doses like once a year for an hour. That pretty much tops the tolerance scale with me. Bubba and his sister are oil and water - with lit matches tossed in for fun. To say they are anything alike is like calling a string thong bikini "modest swimwear"... It still floors me the man she married hasn't tried to smother her in her sleep. HE is a nice guy, hard worker - 20 year later I still don't get it. Also I've never seen the man out of a pair of blue jeans and a ball cap. Its the ocean son - bathing suit... and how blinding white are THOSE legs going to be? Bubba Sr did take pains to tell us that they had the nicest weekend with her - "she must be back on the meds or something - it was a nice change of pace."

The result of this union is the niece with her head screwed on straight - with any luck she will be going away to school next year - even if I have to pack for her. (another story for a later time)

Next we have the niece who doesn't have her head screwed on straight, has two children, divorced and living with Baby Daddy #2, no job and frankly (in my judgmental opinion) not a very bright future. (yeah yeah saucer of milk table 1). Who is going to pay for her and her brood to go along? Grandma and Grandpa?? Of course and when Bubba Sister gets wind of that she will demand that they pay for her too... she just will...

Bubba and I will end up paying for half the meals so his father doesn't have to!

We will need a vacation from this vacation.

And for those of you who have enjoyed various in-law stories across the years I don't think bringing the laptop along would be a good idea. It might save my sanity - but it also might look a bit hinky. Ok I will probably figure out a way to do it - indeed just to save my sanity - or I'll bring note books and pens - again as a sanity saving device.

But as I sit and think about all the "joys" this trip could bring I also know planning ahead for this crowd outside of Bubba and Bubba Sr. is so not a thing they do. So I figure talk is cheap until about May next year, I am crossing my fingers that I don't get to see Hawaii for the first time with my husband's family. Otherwise it will be seen through a haze of tropical drinks - starting with mimosas and ending up with me face down on the pillow at night.

I will update as warranted with this impending disaster....



And in a final note for this holiday Monday... my friend Cindy lost her Mom today. My heart aches for her loss as they were close. Travel safe Cindy gain support from those family and friends that will surround you as hold close those memories of your Mom. Charlotte, one great and classy lady. God speed.

Ah - Sunday... mostly

Now as I have previously documented here there is a morning routine in our house - it is controlled by those four legged furry children I have, and when they are ready to greet the day - I am made aware of that fact. Usually with a cold nose and a scrape down my leg, arm (insert exposed body part here). I can get one "go lay down" a morning then it's urgent cold nose and 4 layers of skin gone to bring the point home that "the bladder is full lady".

That being said, Sunday usually work like this - I'm up, dogs are out, in, fed and happy. I am up. I sit and usually watch 3/4's of the Sunday morning show I like. Then I hear the bed, the floor and the shower - I know I've got 20 minutes tops.

Then HE arrives downstairs - announces to all (which would be me - as the dogs really don't care after all their needs have been tended to..) "get moving you have things to tend to." At this point I settle in; because I know the things that "I must tend to" aren't going to be to my liking. Today HIS plan is for ME to weed the yard, while he does - whatever I usually quit listening half way through - saves the blood pressure meds y'know?

Anywho - he announces he's headed out for bagels, groovy. I quick shower after all I am headed outside to dig in the dirt, do the morning caffeine fix and await my bagel. And wait - and wait... it isn't until later in the day I found out he went and got his car washed FIRST - then stood in line forever to get the bagels. And I'm the poky one - go figure.

So breakfast enjoyed, I got to read a lot of the Sunday paper - as I had the time - then we head outside to weed and deal with things. The pups tagged along and frankly, it could have been much worse - like 100 degrees and 600 percent humidity... instead it was sunny, nice low humidity and a lovely breeze - fab-u-lous!! Still hot and sticky and gross when done pulling weeds but hey - like I said take the good when you get it and don't complain.

We discovered that those gross looking stink bugs have invaded our tree - and our neighbors tree so every time Bubba cut a branch 300 of the darn things would come flying at me.. ick and double ick.... We killed as many of those darn things as we could but they flew away every time I got close with the small shovel...

Bubba went to the local big chain hardware store, got dirt--- yes we had to buy dirt to fill the doggy pot holes that our lovely pair of diggers are making. He asked about the invader bugs - Bubba brought home some stuff - sprayed where they were and then described the scene....

"I sprayed all under the railing of the deck where they were hiding - this stuff stinks like a toxic cloud - those darn bugs crawled up to the to the top of the railing, dried off the toxic and went back to where they came from! Nothing is killing these things!"

I then had the mental image of these gross looking bugs taking all that bug spray and snorting it like some kind of drug then looking me going "Ain't gone yet sister!! Bwaaa ha ha ha!!"

I may need to take something to sleep well tonight - we'll see if I have an open bottle of something. (insert icky shiver here)

Bubba has settled in with some Star Wars movie - one of the 2nd batch and I lost interest quickly - whoever wrote that dialog should be forced to watch that crap over and over again until his brain is oozing out his ears... man oh man. This is why I read - and now sit on the computer.

And in a final tribute to routines of the day - as soon as I sat down at the computer from the other room we here, "What are you doing in there?"

Playing bridge with the stink bugs dear - can you lend me 20 bucks? I'm losing my shirt in here.

A not so subtle reminder...

Through all my rants and whining my life is truly a good one, I have a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, friends, family and my petty issues are just that petty.

Today I read that a dear friend of mine had to make probably one of the most difficult decisions of her life. Her Mom is gravely ill and they had to make the decision to stop all treatments and simply make her comfortable. In 6 weeks Charlotte has gone from diagnoses to hospice and I sit here with tears in my eyes for my friend and for her mom who was one classy lady.

So today - no rants, no raves, no issues, just a short heartfelt post to my friend Cindy who through it all has remained strong, did what had to be done, and now must face the hardest time of her life.

Cindy - there are so many friends here for you and I will be standing in front, dinner in hand. Well because I'm Italian and we eat - especially when times are tough.

Your mom was a great lady and it was truly my pleasure to know her.

God works in mysterious ways - he reminds me that life is indeed precious and should be held close. Hug a friend or family member and thank the deity of your choosing for having that person in you life - no matter how short that time may be.

All my love Cindy may all your memories be good ones.

sit down, strap in and hush up

Aunt Ing hasn't spoken in 2 days and it's been quite the couple of days - I am not going to pull any punches today!

First, I cannot tell you how personally grateful I am that Bubba doesn't work at the Discovery Channel anymore. And that is the first time in 18 months that I have said that. Second I cannot tell you how grateful I am that his former office mate and dear friend of both of us is well physically if not quite on steady pins mentally. Third, rot in hell you environmental wacko.

I have no moral ambiguity about the police taking this idiot out. You want to make the world a better place - fabulous - go clean beaches in New Orleans, figure out how to power my car cheaply on french fry grease, figure out how to make solar panels that will work and not look like you're trying to contact the planet Zoltone from your humble abode.

Disagreeing with programming on a TV channel - seriously? The Discovery Channel has done more for saving the planet and showing it off in all its wonder and you take innocent people hostage and scare the living crap out of 1900 others? AND another thing dumb-ass - the discovery channel doesn't make the programming - they buy it from production companies! And your mentally bent ideas on population and babies - I sincerely doubt there are 3 more people on the planet who agree with you.

Ok that is off my chest. I had a small moment - alone when we heard from friends that everyone was well, safe and headed home.

Now a funny? Bubba told me he remembered this nut job - he gave homeless guys money to protest the Discovery building with him. Then the guys got mugged on their way back to the shelter - nice neighborhood eh?

All right-y then. Rant over.

Now on to some things that happened after all the breaking news had broken. Boss man called me into his office. Asked me if we could get by our big audit (level 1-5) without one of the two folks who keep things organized. Now the guy we were discussing has honestly made his own bed here, but he can serve a purpose - if you light enough of a fire of his butt. Of course the threat of canning his fanny just might be the gasoline on the fire under his nether regions. So I was honest - and now it is my plan to remain quiet and watchful. I hate having to be put in that position - because you want to be nice to a co-worker - but he's done nothing for a year and you can't over look that one.

The second part of the conversation -- see Monday's post and my rant about the Deep South Code jockeys and their Napoleon boss. Now it is my understanding the Nep has met his Russian front... and as we speak he is being raked over coals (I hope) by our customer because he can't or won't make schedule that a monkey could do.

The boss man again asks me about my thoughts on the Deep South Side Step - I asked if he spoke to Deputy boss man - he had not. I recount my 'discussion' of Monday, and my feelings, and the moment that led up to it... and he admitted to me that he had "the worst week in his professional career". Well that's just dandy boy-o but we've been talking about this for... well ever. So it took a bazooka to the back of your head to finally see what an entire staff of people have been screaming about for months and months. Bravo. What are you going to do to change it big man? Also taking a wait and see approach.

So let's hope that Thursday is a bit more uneventful and we will all enjoy the working from home day tomorrow - a three day weekend - and working from home Tuesday. Now to do something productive with my day... but first - I think it's time for lunch. :-)