Monday Morning...

Wasn't apparently part of the day my body wished to see.. as I lazily slept in until... 9:00 AM! Bubba was up and gone, apparently the Case girls needed a bit more rest. All I can say is thank goodness there are no cameras in my house as a fat chick running through her house getting ready to go work couldn't have been pretty. Add in a barking dog and one with stair issues and what fun we've had.

I did make it into work, thus far reasonably quiet. We have big news in that the senior code jockey turned in his papers and will be leaving our happy abode on the 17th of December. Bummer as he was the one person you could work with - the Napoleon of Huntsville is still firmly in place and I'm sure what ever puppet he puts in there will probably cause more trouble than life is worth. Another wrinkle is the chick who isn't quality - but really is - (i.e. MY job) in Huntsville is again trying to end around to do whatever the heck she's doing down there... because all the folks know that she's really not what she SAYS she is - depending upon to whom you speak... the funny part was I was just the cc on the email - the boss almost - like - sort of made a decision. But we'll see what new bubble over this causes... should be fun!

Bubba has "warned" me that this week will be "a late long one" - my response - a shrug. I mean really - what you'll get home later than 8 or 8:30 PM. BFD. Kinda like your sister who prefers to work the evening shift when her husband is home from work himself... what is it with this family? His parents now live 6 hours apart, his sister works off shifts while her husband works days and my accountant husband thinks a short day is 9 hours. Again - insert shrug here. Groovy I will cook what suits me when it suits me and your dinner will be on a plate in the microwave. Nuke it up Numbers boy and enjoy your life... I'll be off having one.

Ok here is the other issue...Bubba and I decided to get smart phones for each other for Christmas - now I can do all sorts of cool stuff I've been wanting do - yeah Geek Envy - sue me I'm a nerd. But NOW - he's shopping - cheap phones crappy plans (SO NOT going on cricket - not happening!!) him whining about doubling of our cell phone bill. Listen - you work all the time - we are generally OK with the paycheck issues Ok - can you please just get one of the two options we discussed and shut up about it! I am not counting my minutes for this and that - buy the all inclusive plan and BE DONE WITH IT. Yeesh. Your mother has appliances more complicated than your computer and you are whining about cell minutes? What pod did you spring from? Because I don't get where the freak you are related to these people you call family!!!!

/end rant. thank you I feel better. Mostly, until he starts in again about the bill - I may have to bury him in cell phone bills. Shoot me please. Screw it I'm going to wal-mart - I need something - I'll find something-- Useless... :-)

Thinking about heading home - finding my Zen with thanksgiving leftovers. It's all good.

Weekend recap....

While yes I should and could have posted Thursday - I didn't. Hope your turkey day was all that and a bag of chips... or extra gravy, whatever.

First as I type this the Steelers are about to lose to the flipping Buffalo Bills - the Bills who have won -- what 2 games all season? Where is the team that beat the living crap out of the Raiders last weekend? Where is the fire? Yes I know it's cold in Buffalo - but you're a COLD WEATHER TEAM TOO MORONS! I stopped watching after the defense let them have 4th and 2 with the game on the line - and yes Nana football words were abundant... that is why we call them football words. Stupid Steelers.


So - the weekend... we had Wednesday's rant and apparently I should have spent as much time with my packing list - who besides the dork that is me - forgets her glasses AND her contact lens solution only to end up at the grocery store Thursday morning...

(more football words as they are about to really lose this game - stupid Steelers)

Also would have lost the bet on the arrival time home for Bubba - apparently they kicked him out at 3:30 on Wednesday after a lovely ride home - 5:00 Pm we were packed and out the door at 5:30. Traffic wasn't awful, we went up another route, we sat in a bit north of Frederick, then zippy home. We did hit chunky rain in the 'mountains' of PA but the roads remained wet. Home, wine, mellow - Bubba not happy it's just us for Thanksgiving (see Wednesday for that discussion) then bed...

Thursday was up, moving, blind, put in contacts with Bubba's solution, burning eyes run to grocery store, home, blind, shower, cook, contacts back in, dinner, stuffed, ahhhhhh

Friday up moving, on our way to the in-laws amazingly no major words said between husband and wife during the trip, we visit his grandfather's grave - and I'm beginning to wonder if we're the only ones who do... (another reminder WE don't live there... digressing) We meet up with the Parental Units D' Bubba - in the new place... with appliances my mother-in-law bought but will never be able to use... when you complain about grease splatters in your new fancy convection oven it isn't the probe (in the chicken you dirty minded...) it could be the shallow pan. And when said Daughter in law mentioned that - "Never thought of that one I figured I did something wrong in the oven it cooked it too fast." Makes your head hurt doesn't it?

She's got more bells and whistles in this kitchen than my last work project. And this from a woman who readily admits - "Email is too confusing". I wanted to slap my husband - and steal his mama's kitchen. Seriously.

So lunch out - home, relax, realize that AGAIN best laid plans for holidays have been tossed into the shredder and somehow it's my family's fault. And I want St. Pete to take note - I was the one who said "We'd work something out so everyone has a fair share." I talked to my siblings only one of whom might toss sugar in the engine that is THIS plan. We shall see.

I have discovered a few truths about my husband's side of the family, first and foremost I don't get them but I can make do. Second my husband is anti-social with them as he is with me. He did spend some time teaching Joe how to play chess on the computer - and lastly exactly what is my mother-in-law trying to do with all those angel's around the house? What bad ju-ju does she think is surrounding her that all those angel statues will make a difference? Just wondering - as I am the one giving her more every Christmas... but they are the stay inside a cabinet kind - with boxes and papers... the one Bubba commented on was a 3 foot statue that stood outside her front door - it was this huge cement colored angel, we walked up and Bubba's comment "Holy Shit" - punch his ticket straight to the pearly gates. We have a winner.

I mean she's got that one - two sitting on her front "yard" of 1 foot of mulched patch in front of her condo, on the kitchen window - behind her kitchen sink, then tucked away everywhere... but then again my father has Santa everywhere - all year long... so who is to say what about who.

We discover through conversation that the supposed plan for Christmas Eve has been put in the shredder Bubba, of course in his oh-so patient manner jumps all over his mother, and she in turn jumps all over my mother - haven't yet figured out how that came about but I said nothing in the moment, then said later I would work with said siblings of mine and make sure everyone got holiday time. I also invited her down to Christmas dinner since her family was working and it would be just us... then she admits to cooking dinner before everyone has to go to work (nurses in the family). Did she think to invite us? Of course not. Again I would like it noted that I have not pointed that out to in-law type relation - in case St. Peter would like to take notes - I racked up some major goodie points this weekend... then probably wiped out most of them with this post - but hey I try right?

Elder niece came over with children - yes plural - in tow, played with baby, had some fun, then passed her off to everyone else to fuss over and Joe and I played Legos and Monopoly for the better part of 90 minutes - just us two. I don't think this kid gets a lot of play time - but I could be wrong. I know that Baby Daddy 2 (M for short) drives a truck during the week and is generally gone alot - and I know like I know my name Niece A isn't having fun with her eldest - I wonder when the shine is going to wear off Baby Addison or A2 for short. And that is mean and snotty. Sorry gang if I can't be a royal B here where can I be... this is my space - this is my happy place.... Plus I KNOW this is my major league stick in my own personal person craw but dag nabbit its mine... and I hate it. I do nothing different with those two that I have done with any kid in my family - I play I talk, I cuddle I listen. I love spending time with them, Joe was even fun because I got a response - he wasn't doped to the hills. Of course I tossed the wrench into it - and asked if he was still on the drugs - "because he's much more engaged" and the answer I got -"its the end of the day he's coming off of them" I just smiled and said Oh OK. (Hey! Pete ... please note!!)

So back to my mom's late, Saturday with the family, had a great day, kids are loud and crazy and my brother needs to take his children in hand - they were great when he was home - perhaps you live a bit more cheaply and raise your kids. They are not ADD they are undisciplined - smack your eldest child's behind once and that ends the slamming of legos into one's Aunt and Uncle's thighs. I know I've got the bruises to prove it...

BUT - a good visit - we talked about Christmas Eve - could we work something out with his idiot family? Right now darling Brother is the fly in the oil but we'll see what we can work out... or not. We ate at the usual place - a fun thing with the kids on a new no chemicals diet - good luck with that one. Just ordered a book for them... Wendy will read up and hopefully that will help.. or make her think I'm a bigger pain in the backside. I got one for dear Sis too... but her daughter is just bossy not obnoxious. I did get an "I love you" from the younger of my brother's daughters...

Bubba and I did discuss the possibility that niece could be thinking about #3 - I said - NO way -- #2 is still fun and new... and heaven help me if she is...

In the midst of all this points raking I did have one "oh poop" moment. Adult niece two the one getting an education and working - said something to her grandmother - my mother in law about Niece one and having more children that she is going to have to support and once again the filter slipped... "No that is not Grandma's job it's A's responsibility to take care of the children she brings into the world."

And yes I got a dirty look - sue me. Maybe it's best we only have 3 days home. Keeps me out of trouble.

The cherry on the sundae of this trip home? Up Sunday morning at 5:30 AM read that again boys and girls - 5:30 AM to drive home like the house was on fire. There were 12 other people on the road and we whizzed by them so freaking fast I'm not sure I counted correctly. Plus I read - I couldn't sleep and it helps to keep the screaming fits at bay... I did comment on the speed when I heard my poor truck start to whimper. Someday I'd love to take his car home and abuse the crap out if it instead of my family truckster. So we're home at 10:30 in the flipping morning - yes we missed traffic - yes it was a smooth ride (when you don't touch pavement) whiz bang you got to rake leaves and you took me out to breakfast... you could have left at 10 AM and had similar results but no we wouldn't have seen the Steeler game... see top of post.

(BTW they shocking went on to win - color ME amazed)

Now he's off getting a massage from the busy weekend of driving up and back, sitting on his ass and eating. He didn't lift a dish, or glass except to refill it.

ARE YOU LISTENING ST. PETER - ANYTHING? ONE STINGY POINT I do dishes!

Never mind -- I like the heat and Mom said she'd save me seat.

Pizza for dinner because I just don't want bothered. Stay tuned should be a quiet week.

Nothing screws up a holiday like your family....

I would like to post an open letter to my siblings and to my in laws. Who I have come to believe have either spines of granite or jello... mostly I think the ones related to me by blood are the ones with the jello spinal columns.

Dear "family"

I would like you to note the return address on ANY piece of mail I have ever sent you - does it contain the abbreviation PA? No it does not. We don't live in Western PA anymore we must drive 4 hours or better to visit and spend time with you - our family. Now you may not believe this - but that road goes both ways!! Both to and FROM Western PA - not that any of you could be bothered to do so... in spite of countless invitations to this that or the other - including a do nothing weekend in mid-freaking July.

In the 20 years I have lived away from home I have worked really hard to ensure that both sides of the family get time with said relation so we could talk, bond, fight or whatever. But NEVER in 20 years have ANY of you bothered to so much as give 20 minutes of your oh-so important lives to adjust to my schedule. I must drive to you another 2 hours or so I must make do with the slivers of time you are willing to dish out of your busy lives.

Perhaps your feelings are "you moved you deal with it" and I do - however when you see your family on a pretty much daily basis why does it become such critical importance that you spend MORE time with them than the ones who must travel to see you? Can you offer an explanation? I doubt it.

So again another holiday where feelings are hurt, people are in tears and I get enough leftovers to feed a small army - and am darn grateful for it! You people decide when and where and how you can be bothered to spend time not only with me and Bubba but with the parents you DON'T vacation with every year - or the in-laws who do nothing but add to the stress in your life - or accept the shift on the day we are available for a visit - enjoy.

Next year - me and Nana are taking a cruise to a place with sunny beaches and hot and cold running cabana boys - and we'll think about taking our spouses. You people eat dried out turkey with in-laws forget all the traditions and enjoyment that WAS your family - and frankly my dear sister and brother - right now you can kiss my grits.

To my in-laws and my work-aholic husband - enjoy that 15 minutes with each other - I'll have another round.

Sorry this is so angry but like I said - nothing can screw up a holiday like your family - stay tuned I'm sure I can suck something funny out of THIS weekend. Including round one with Bubba... ponder this until I return... the office in which he is working is CLOSING at 3:00 PM today - is he coming home? No - he's not sure if he has to STAY AND WORK.

And do I need to remind anyone he's a TEMP in this job?

Oh - and if ANYONE on the planet can make sense of that bit of logic - call or write I'd love to hear it.

Ah the weekend...

We saw A&T off this morning with a good bagel and cup of Joe, then Bubba and Aunt Ing headed home to deal with the rest of the day. First, turkey in the oven as the lodge dinner is tonight and I stupidly said I'd make a turkey. AND I'm worried it isn't big enough. Screw it I've had a long week, I have a cold and frankly not in the mood. If 16 pounds and change ain't enough-- you people are eating too much.

Bubba is now off with Shelby she needed some blood work, just because she's on a daily med - making sure things are all good. We remembered this morning, so of course I called, I got the appointment then I goosed Bubba to go! The appointment was 11: ish... so it was 5 minutes until and he was going to BATHE her first - THEN go! No no no dorkus - Vet first then bath - that way you can keep her inside to dry off and not in my (yes it is) dirty car. And it's dirty because it hauls the dogs!

I just jumped on facebook and realized what A's husband has been doing all week on his phone - posting to Facebook! Yeesh. But it was interesting to see the week summed up in a serious of map postings and pithy comments. Whatever gets you through the week works for me.

Another short post as I've got some other things to tend to and I don't want to deal with Bubba when he gets back. Because we know what kind of mood he is going to return home in... and again if you picked happy you REALLY need to pay closer attention to what I write. Come on now people.

Of course I have to say he's been very cool this week, no whining about this that or the other - but he has been fed well so that tends to keep cranky at bay. But now it's just us and we're seeing cracks in the armor. First he was mad because there is a credit on his parking fee - which I prepaid for December already so it will carry through to January. Get over it - I won't pre-pay for January and you can get your happy little car towed out of the garage. Forgive me for not wanting to pay extra again because they sent the bill 2 days after it was due. Honesty it always comes back to bite you in the butt.

On the upside I have enough stuff leftover I am not cooking this week enjoy Bubba for Wednesday we travel - with or without you. I have no issue either way. :-)

All righty really signing off now... must look productive when his royal unhappiness arrives home. Heaven help me if he had to wait for any length of time.

Things to look forward to... holidays with family and in-laws, Christmas shopping with Bubba and a Lodge dinner. If you're lucky I'll post again tonight - I will need the private therapy time.

Everybody needs a day off now and then...

And today is my day... A&T are sticking around until tomorrow so we went and played today.

We were going to go to the French restaurant for dinner - but it closed. So we'll do something local... probably involving red meat. I know my yinzers. ;-)

A is fine, test results still pending in some cases but she is pleased with at least knowing that is NOT wrong and she is on her way to better health. So bonus round.

I frankly have enjoyed my day off and it probably did more for this cold I'm fighting than going to work would have. We will see what time darling Bubba manages to get home... and then we'll make dinner plans.

Everywhere we have gone, T has taken pictures, mostly fire houses, fire truck, and one accident. A wacker yinzer (for those of you not into Western PA lingo that is a fellow or gal from the said Pittsburgh Western PA area who is employed by or volunteers with their local fire/ems departments) T is the later - employed by Warren county - he is what he is. And god love him for it.

Another short post as I'd rather enjoy the time with friends - and I'm sure we'll have more to chat about later in the weekend - there is a lodge function and as we all know - that always brings out the best in Bubba.

Stay tuned.

Quickie...

A & T are at the house, she is out - well scanned poked and looked over.

We're planning dinner out tomorrow and screw work.

That is all... ain't life grand? And it's too short so a day off isn't the end of the world.

I hereby swear and promise...

(the good swear not football words) that I will never - ever again whine, complain or other wise grump about ANY medical issue in my life. I may this vow and promise after spending an entire day in a medical type facility and hearing my friend list all she has gone through this past year... yeesh and double. I simply cannot begin to imagine all she has gone through and still sought out a medical trial!!

My friend is at National Institute of Health being poked and prodded as we speak, she has a team - literally a team of doctors, nurses and host of other medical type people asking questions, looking at her left right and center. Yesterday we got her all checked in, arrived early because Aunt Ing is a ninny and couldn't predict the what, where and hows of where we needed to go and I wanted to try and make things as smooth as possible for her - considering... AND to that point I had NO clue all she'd been through had I an idea - I would have worked so much harder to make things better. I'll make it up to her at the end of the week. Providing work doesn't FUBAR the entire plan - be we'll see.

I put in a couple hours Sunday - should have put in more after that crappy-ass football game... what is it with New England and the Steelers - what is wrong boys? Brady's girl hair scare you? The O-line a little to manly for you? Oh and offense - again boys its called the flipping end zone - FIND IT ALREADY. It's how you actually win a game - get MORE point on the board that the other guys - exciting concept I know...

And enough football talk - well maybe except for my 2 friends who are redskins fans... ouch. Sorry girls. I'd like to say it could have been worse... outside of tornado or flood - not sure how.

Bubba has been remarkable quiet during all this visit and such, I figure he knows this is serious and to shut up about it or he'll wait until my friend and her hubby head out of town to start the bitching again. We'll see - I think the former Bubba is remarkable in that way... he will do what he can for those he can help - then nag his wife until she wants to crown him with her frying pan.

That boys and girls is what makes life worth living.... it's the spice and variety of life!

Have a good Tuesday - I will try and check in Wednesday and hopefully get some good news for A & T - they could use it.

Quick hit Saturday

This was a decent day... up dealt with Lodge stuff - cranky Bubba made his first appearance of the day then he went out with a friend, and I was afforded a peaceful day - alone. I did manage to putz a bit, get some things cleaned up, hung a few pictures, swapped things around, put a new bow on the moose and generally chilled out.

I was supposed to help out at a yard sale today but Violet get sick this morning and I wanted to be home - just in case. This I think was a case of Miss Violet not eating her dinner and up came the gift. Lucky me. But victim blanket is washed and dried and all is right with the world. She's fine, I've gone back to mixing a tablespoon of wet food with her kibble and shucks and golly it's all gone.

Of course while I am standing there mixing it so Miss Violet just doesn't eat the globs of smelly canned food and leave the kibble, Shelby voices her objection to the delay in her breakfast/ dinner. This morning was really funny because she stood there barking at me to move it lady I'm hungry - Bubba yelled at her from the shower upstairs... the floor of which is the ceiling of the laundry room. Shelby heard Bubba's voice - and kept looking up but wasn't real clear on where he was... very funny.

I am having a better day than yesterday - of course talked to Mom on the way home, always good to have someone to grump at. Feeling much better than yesterday.. yeesh I don't know what Debbie downer pill I got hold of but yeesh... won't deal with that again.

Sp my house is 'clean' meaning stuff is picked up the dust is to a minimum the sheets and towels are clean and Bubba has been warned to stay out of the big bathroom. I'm ready for A&T and frankly at this point I'm more nervous about getting her to the right place Monday morning than anything else. We shall see...

Enjoy your Saturday night I'm off to watch hockey now that Bubba is done flipped back to Bad movie #348 this was more violence than sex... ever wonder why I read so much??

A vent and something else...

Apparently my hormones were squished with my personal person and suddenly I am not in that usual Friday mood. Or it could be the reply to the semi-snarky email I got from my brother's wife. Yeah I shot the first cannon across the bow - but she sees mommy and daddy every flipping day - my brother has to make appointments to see his family. Just once I'd like some member of either freaking family to recognize WE drive 4 plus hours to spend time with family - you could people could bend a half a freaking inch. BUT nooooo Bubba and I must make due with traveling back and forth and back and forth because no one is willing to even reach across the darn table to say how are you?

I'm feeling pretty unhappy right now and I'm not real sure what started all this ... perhaps I'm just tired of trying to have a relationship with any member of my family - after all they have their own now - I'm sitting out here alone - with Bubba. The guy in the office who never wants to come home... what does that say about me? I sit here feeling sorry for myself and I have a friend coming to stay with me whose troubles are 12 times worse than mine and I should just suck it up and deal with the BS. 20 years from now I will be booking cruises and island get aways - our gifts will be delivered via the post office and Aunt Ing and Uncle Bob will be those people in pictures. Screw it.

After all Bubba's family can't make room for us, our dogs or anything else so you get the 2 freaking hours we can squeeze out of your schedules. I hate this feeling. OK realized it was way past lunch, went and fueled the brain and the mood has mellowed - a bit. Gone from weepy to just mad- I like mad better. But mad gets my lips flapping and the filter tends to shut off and well that's rarely a good thing. OH I feel better after wards - but it tends to leave a trail of pissed off I then must contend with later...so best to keep the filter firmly in place.

I honestly don't know what caused this mood today - I've got 500 pounds of things to deal with of course there will be crap from Bubba... you know .... let's find a way to blame him for this shall we?

Let me tell you a story - last weekend when cranky Bubba was making his usual daily appearance I was discussing our friends visit. And I may have already discussed this with you all - but he got more grumpy when I said I planned nothing with you in mind. Why oh why would I depend on him for anything? With my friend and her drop off pick up or whatever in mind? You are gone by 7:30 each g-d morning and home 8 pm or later - what good are you to me? NONE. I will get A & T where they need to be when, I will drive into work and do what I have to do - pick up, cook clean and make the dogs are tended while you come home sit on your waited upon fanny and expect to have it all handed to you on a freaking silver platter? I'm beginning to get why your mother is the mess she is...well no not really but I get why your father likes the living arrangements... I give it 6 months before he finds full time work digging holes just to get out of the house.

Boy this is one unhappy post. Hey Cheap Therapy read the title... it's this or I'll be the subject of the next Lifetime movie network "snapped" docu-drama. "She always was so happy then she beat her husband with a frying pan and was heard screaming - it was already cooked, just eat it --- you didn't have to do anything but eat it..." And I've wandered into that dark and twisty place again haven't I? LOL

OK, blood sugar rising, mood is shifting or it's the cream soda I indulged in.. oh yeah will pay for that sugar boost later. Off to deal with work type stuff - and maybe new job stuff too... we'll see.

It's Friday - toast to the weekend, the night, the next day, heck the fact you got out of bed and got dressed. Life is too short for shoveling someone else's manure - you got enough of your own... (I should write for Hallmark)

Sorry - funny thought popped into my head - a whole new line of Hallmark cards our "Tough Love" section - inspired by the drill Sargent therapist... "Lost your way? Feeling Blue? well suck it you pansy pull up your big girl panties and get moving"

So you're 40 - it ain't 60 yet and you can still drink without fear of prescription interaction - deal with it.

Yeah can't see that happening anytime soon. :-)

thanks for being here... feeling better - I may document more Hallmark Tough Love sayings...

Kids driving you crazy? Life a ball of stress? Give the kids a shot of NyQuil and yourself the night off.. order in. (yeah lawsuit there)

I'll think about it..

Banner Wednesday?

No, had to get up oober early and deal with work-type people in positions of power for 30 minutes, then had to sit in an audit interview wondering exactly what some of these people were fishing for... but it was a whole lot less painful then I expected so bonus.

And bigger bonus I was home before 4:00 pm and missed a WHOLE mess-o-traffic. Life was good. Cooked dinner, ate, and was mostly cleaned up by the time his royal highness managed to get home... now let me go off on a bit of a wander... hit the way back music to Tuesday night... again a certain royal highness was getting home per his usual 8-8:30. I ate an hour before, and in doing so I find I am sleeping much better - no acid coming back for a visit about 2:30 AM... not fun... and I've wandered off my side bar... ok back to our first wander...

As I said darling Bubba gets home, we exchange pleasantries as we are want to, which is the basis of the entire evening's conversation as the TV coma takes over Bubba and I bury my nose in a book... So he goes upstairs changes his clothes, dinner is sitting on the stove, all he has to do it put what he wants on the plate. Seriously. the fun part? Let me put it this way... nose, joint, out of whack. Yes boys and girls, Bubba got his nose all out of joint because he had fix his own dinner plate. He claims he asked me to "serve it up" which I may or may not have heard as he was heading upstairs - I told him that I in fact did not hear such a statement and believed he was a capable human being and scooping bbq on a bun and some veggies on a plate wasn't too terribly complicated even for a very important temp such as himself...

OK maybe I didn't phrase it just like that when I spoke to him, I probably said something like "I didn't hear you dear, and figured you could handle it." Because as we well know the only appliance other than the fridge that Bubba knows how to work is the Microwave - and between you and me I think that was a self preservation mechanism against me not being home on occasion and starvation. Another tough love lesson learned eh?

So I got grumpy Bubba for Tuesday BFD, again for those of you not taking good notes, this is why I read. It tunes out Cranky Bubba quite effectively. Now allow us to fast forward 24 hours... as previously stated home early it was very nice, did some work, loved puppies, finished the last load of sheets and towels as we're having company this next week (more later) I got dinner put together, ate my dinner, cleaned the kitchen, put his Royal Highness's dinner on a plate - as that was such an issue the day before and left it in the microwave. I had the entire kitchen cleaned before he got home. Nope not kidding. I did managed to wander upstairs when he hit the kitchen, and I said - "oh you found your dinner" -- and let me quote --"Well this was an improvement from yesterday"

Yes all he had to do was open the door, and start the one magic machine he knows how to work in the kitchen. He ate, he was quiet, he was cranky because he couldn't get the hockey channel and he kept flipping the button for the scores... which means he had to flip to a sports channel - again another reason why I read... watching 3 shows at once tends to make my head hurt. I said all October when the satellite TV sports hockey package was half price - I tell him why don't you order it - you're going to want to watch the games - order it now. Did he? No. Did he wait until November - full price - oh you betcha. AFTER he got done wagging his finger over our Christmas gifts - we are giving each other smart phones... Aunt Ing is a happy geek... until the "the bill is going to double" finger wagging started... thank hon - whizzed on another gift. yeah.

Did I say a freaking word about the hockey package - other than telling him to get the hockey channel you HAVE to order the entire package - I knew this - why don't you get off that barge on the river of de-Nile to you float on? Really? You can remember what we paid for something stupid 5 years ago but get back on that canoe for something like your fun time charlie. Don't get me started on the gun show purchase... it's your toy - you work hard enjoy --- why can't you extend the same courtesy to me? Tight fist ed... and I've wandered into a dark and twisty place haven't I?

ANY way... we'll see what tonight brings, its soup and grilled cheese for dinner because I'm working the Lodge dinner. This I will have too when he manages to get home - on a federal holiday.... taking bets? I say 8 PM - I will pay up tomorrow... catch me to collect ;-)

Today has been quiet - Veterans Day - Federal Holiday have I mentioned how much I love traffic on these days? Yeah - its totally groovy. Work has been pretty quiet, I've got some paperwork to finish up and I should have that done before I disappear early (for said dinner).

Now to my "visitors" - my friend from college Amy and her hubby are coming down to stay with us - how I wish this was a friendly visit. She's going to have to go through some medical tests at NIH and since that is in my neck of the woods - I said I would help her. No biggie, find my house, cook next week, cart folks. Of course work has to toss in a wrinkle, we've got testing to do, but I have it all worked out. We looked at the schedule, and figured by the time I have a handle on what my friend Amy's schedule is they will need me. So there will be some drop off and pick up and we're dealing with it.

Now with two of us in the similar position at work we can back each other up - but my work buddy Pam has a boo-boo foot and can't drive so she's working from home. So... we're divided conquered and worked out the kinks - and somehow we will survive. Posts next week will be written in panicked exhaustion I'm sure. OR I could be post away because things are so freaking quiet. Let's hope for the second one - even through we know it is probably going to be the first because Aunt Ing isn't that lucky.

Stay tuned.
Oh - and stayed tuned for the email I sent to my sister in law about getting her butt to Nana's house for Thanksgiving...I worked really hard on sugar coated snark - we'll see if she gets it.

Lost that bet...

Forgot there was football on last night when I got home from my meeting - therefore the bet comment posted yesterday did not occur. Bubba did not mention the carpet stain, so like I said --lost that bet.

Tuesday has not had the drama that Monday did. Thank goodness.

Work is work as we haven't heard from the Southern contingent life has been quiet. The boss survived his process audit (which somehow became my baby) my interview is tomorrow - oh what fun. I have homework. I'll screw up something -- we shall see.

I have to commute into work tomorrow - tomorrow is Wednesday I'm supposed to have the easy drive... but NO - we've got big deals arriving from our customer - oh yeah and the senior two members of the Huntsville team of idiots and underhanded dealers. Won't I just put the company face in front of the 'company' then head off to my interview and wish them well on their trip home. Don't let the door hit you where the good-lord split you boys... see ya.

Perhaps on Friday I will commute from home... we'll see what the boss man says. I'm now on my last of 5, 6 - 12 conference calls of the day. I hate Tuesdays. I am fading fast, up late with football, even bailed on the last 4 minutes I was getting too worked up and I knew I wasn't going to sleep well... plus I would have really tossed and turned if the stupid Steelers would have lost. but then managed to hang on - and win the game. Yeah! Stupid Bungles. Who dey think goin' beat them Stillers? ;-)

I will update tomorrow with the meet and greet of muckity-mucks and the schmucks from the deep south - and other tales of my boring life..

Welcome to Monday

And can it be over yet? Bubba found the spot in which sick Violet almost 2 weeks ago left a present. He didn't believe me when I documented when the stain occurred but now it has become the single focus in his life. Does he get the cleaner and deal with it? If you answered yes to that question you are obviously a new reader and should go back and start from the beginning. If you're the two people I know and love who read this regularly then you already know the answer to that question was No.

Of course not it is his sole job to nag me about it until I want to put carpet cleaner in his dinner. I promise you the three times he mentioned yesterday and the parting shot he left with this morning will be followed up with at least two more tonight - pre and post meeting. And yes I will let you know... after all it is the bytes on the screen that is daily saving his life - now don't you feel you've preformed a public service today? go forth and pay it forward. :-)

Today also brought us a phone call from the deep south - before I got into work, and a shot across the bow of the SS Huntsville. I did ask the boss man if should bring it up - he said go for it. The latest issue is dealing with them creating their own empire down there and not sharing - then expecting us to deal with it. Of course the idiot "running" the show down there wanted to know who told me about their secret online stash - I won't give them up - unless its that PITA woman who left the nasty voice mail last week... I'll toss her to the wolves for a fun size snickers bar - or maybe just the promise of one. I'm flexible in this area.

I'm cutting out early for the annual girl check up, oil change and spark plug check, Friday its the headlights. (girl doctor then squish test for chicks) No man should ever complain about a doctor's appointment unless they come up with a similar machine for men's personal person parts to be squished within an inch of really painful. But no! and I'm wandering again.

So, let's sum up our Monday, traffic - sucked per usual, staff meeting - a bit a fun as I was the one with the pistol today - home early - crappy Dr appointment and a meeting tonight that hopefully will be quick.

Then home to watch the Steelers - and find out who won on my way into work Tuesday morning... cripes I'm getting old. Bonus points - Bubba is on his own for dinner! 21 years of wedding bliss! Ain't life grand?

A tale of two Bubbas

Yes boys and girls it's story time again... the great changer of personalities and moods is at it again... cue the way back music to... yesterday.

Friday - ah Friday that day in a working gal's week after a particularly crappy week in which she was beaten abused and yelled at - by "co-workers" in you guessed it the lint in the belly button of the south Huntsville, AL. NOW-- on a side note it was Friday heard from only one yokel who greatly contributed to the great sucking sound of my week - then there was silence.... no email, no phone calls no underhanded snarky Bull chips, me my computer and my brain's inability to focus on any one particular task at the time. ...

As my day was winding down, I knew the menu for the evening would be microwave surprise. What may you ask is the culinary delight of Microwave surprise. It's where you dump in left overs, hot them up (in your microwave oven) and surprise - that's dinner. or Surprise! I'm so not eating that. Or in the world of Bubba there is a face that has just sucked a particularly tart lemon and then the 5-year old arms across his chest and a grunt. Also know as - I'm not eating that - you eat it.

And I've wandered... back to our story.
So, I do get a call - from Darling Bubba, he said that Bubba Sr. is stopping by for a "visit" also known as we're the bed and potty stop. On the upside he buys dinner. So we went out to his favorite place - and it's been a while since we've been there, we actually had to wait! Granted it wasn't long but hey! They have completely redone in the inside I liked it. And of course the dinner was good. I didn't have the steak because we had plans for a good steak dinner --- anyway... yeesh I keep taking these side trips we're never getting to the good parts. Actually these are the good parts but OK - back to Bubba.

He called, said Daddy dearest on his way here is the plan. Groovy, head out a bit early, check the guest bath, bedroom, clean the kitchen start the dishwasher... yadda yadda yadda. Bubba Sr. arrives, we chat, finally I call Bubba to discover if he does indeed know an arrival time home prior to 8 PM or later. Amazing he does. 7PM. Yeah - whatever.

So, he comes in chat chat then he says - "Boo boo come deal with these" I have no idea what "these" are until I go upstairs ready to battle and see... (wait for it) a dozen of the pretties roses in pale pink on the table. Well mush me silly, then I really stepped in it as I got my anniversary days confused. I did. Yes boys and girls you read that right. I got it wrong - I was focused on big dinner Saturday and didn't get my days right. Whoops. So I put my pretty flowers in water, I enjoyed them, of course he got a little kissy; and we then went to dinner with Dad.

By the time Bubba and I got home I forgot to give him his card! Cripes. He got it Saturday.

Now on to Saturday where we go from Man who remembers anniversary and brings home flowers to --- CRANKY Bubba... and we all know how much we love Cranky Bubba. We had to go to the Lodge to clean up and put the kitchen back together. Frankly i thought we'd have more hands than we did. And there was some putzing about... which of course made him OH-SO happy. So finally we got it all put together, and headed out to lunch. Now it was 12 noon, Bubba hadn't eaten so he was oober happy (not) at this point so everything I said was wrong. Finally we ate and the rough edges smoothed out - mostly... that and I quit talking to him. (makes him nuts!) We went to Wal-Mart... now let me wander here...

We had a coffee carafe from the lodge still in the box, no coffee pot to match it.. so I returned it. I sent Bubba to get my contact lens solution and his. I stood in line got my gift card (no receipt - big deal) got cards for friends, and checked out the books section - then called Bubba. Where are you? "At the eye juice place."

Insert hand to head slap here. Seriously? 20 minutes staring at contact lens solution labels? Really. So I tell him I'm done and ready to check out - meet me at the register. He says great - I'm headed to Automotive to check something out. I went back, got my new book, checked out and sat down to read it.

15 minutes later - yes I timed it... this is why I wear a watch... he calls asks where I am, I inform him that I have checked out and am waiting on his fanny. Finally he checks out with... MY contact lens solution - only. 35 minutes of shopping and he gets my contact lens solution. And I wonder why it takes him 3 hours to go grocery shopping for 15 items.

Finally we get home, I pay bills, do so pre-Christmas shopping and get ready to go out with friends who also happen to be our neighbors to dinner. A very nice dinner. Ruth Chris steak house - we enjoyed it greatly! Then we went to our other neighbors and drank and talked and shared wedding photos and stories. It was a really nice night. Then we fell into bed and died.

Sunday has been bagel, paper, laundry and Bubba off doing what ever Bubba does when he doesn't want to be at home. I wanted to be home, used the 505 pounds of laundry waiting for me as an excuse. (and yes I weighed it why do you ask?)

So me and the girls have enjoyed our quiet time... the laundry is almost done and I killed 30 minutes chatting with a friend on the other side of Maryland. I love Sundays... if they just didn't have a Monday following them it would be so much better.

Stay tuned for what could be an entertaining work week... or not. Either way - I believe there will be drinking-- if I'm lucky.

Rumors of my demise....

Have been not been tweeted therefore are not true. (Mom I will explain that statement later...) but it has indeed been over a week since last I posted and without a vacation to explain my absence from the keyboard. As I documented last week we had a real scare with Miss Violet, where I thought I was going to lose her... but she has managed to figure out how to get around without bumping into everything and she's eating again.

Let's start with where we left off shall we? Tuesday PM I leave my briefing and was happily noting we got out early. This took a few minutes to process as did everything last Tuesday due to the fact 2.5 hours of solid sleep does not make Aunt Ing's brain work all that well - if at all. So headed home, checking in with work, no major issues there, checking in with Vet, on my way in... get to the doggie ER and see Miss Violet in her crate, all tubed up, still looking a bit off kilter but at least her eyes weren't spinning anymore. They were waiting for a visit from the cardiologist so I would have to leave her for a bit, they would call me when done and with news.

Thus far we've spent a house payment to figure out - she's got an old dog's disease and they aren't sure of it's origin... really? Lie to me for that amount of freaking money... tell me it's her lower right/left lobe of the mandible guerta. I would have stared at the doc, the brain would have yawned and then screamed "WHAT?" but it would have been an answer. I would have repeated the same stupid statement to the Bubba he would have asked for details I would have looked at him dumbly and we would have moved on.

Wednesday -- ah Wednesday first day of the Grand tour of the Supreme Queen for the Lady Shriners. I slept in, I tended to home issues, I got dressed and met the ladies and drive to Cumberland, Maryland. Met up with Mom, Dad did well on his stress test so it's all good.

So Banquet, meeting, make a dork of myself (again) drove home, died.

Thursday - repeat. Except me and Mom went to Baltimore, meeting banquet (not as good) home and night-y night.

Friday - up, big breakfast, home meeting in Washington DC, banquet, home, mellow and ahh... didn't log on, did check the blackberry no major flames so really was't worried about getting on line.

Bubba was home late Tuesday night - and then I saw him again Friday night. hee, hee, hee. Hey I left him something to eat for dinner two of the three nights I was gone. and with Mom in the house, he couldn't grump about "lodge crap".

Saturday - that was a good day. We were up, moving went to the Amish market for breakfast enjoyed it very much. Then we dumped Bubba who honestly looked glassy eyed and tired - he went to the hey-you-almost-a-doctor-shop Wednesday as he came back from Vegas with the sicks... and I wanted NO parts of that!

So Bubba dumped, we went to the pet store to get doggie treats, and violet more canned dog food. It took until Friday morning for Violet to decide to eat, she heard me talking to Dr. Brad the world's greatest vet and since she didn't want to go visit another doctor she ate her breakfast Friday morning. Stinker.

But since then she's been eating regular, of course we've gone from one full can of stinky soft dog food to a couple of tablespoons mixed with her kibble. Its still stinky but one can goes further. We went to the shoe store - I got a new pair of clogs and the cutest pair of dressy shoes - I am desperate to wear them. I got them on the sale rack... I love the shoe store sale rack. Then we went to Trader Joe's I stocked up, Nana had some fun.

We came home, hung out, went out to dinner, not to the place we originally planned and while the food was good - the service was awful. Live and learn.

Sunday - Nana packed up and headed North after all I'm sure by now Pap was missing her, I putzed, as did Bubba, he went to get a hair cut, and he went grocery shopping for me.. bonus I didn't have to leave the house. Watched 3/4's of the Steeler game then went to bed, that was all she wrote - one word of advice boys - stop listening to the press. YOU ARE NOT THE BEST TEAM FOOTBALL - it's called the end zone dip wade - FIND IT! I am not above breaking Jeff Reed's big toe so you have to figure out that a touchdown is worth more points than a freaking field goal. Yeesh and enough already.

Monday - Monday Monday-- can't touch that day... sorry channeling a little 60's folk music there. Well it was back to work, the usual day, staff meeting, the latest surprise from the Southern contingent and then home. Made dinner and off to a meeting for the Ladies Group - the big state wide big wigs were in town. thankfully we have a gal who runs a quick and no nonsense meeting, we were in out and done.
I left early because I could, and because I had to be back Tuesday night and Wednesday morning? Why? The lodge has bugs - the icky icky bugs. Roaches.

Tuesday - ah Tuesday brought a whole new series of pissing contests at work, the Southern group was having an audit - did they bother to tell anyone in VA? Of course not - keep up with the stories gang. Now all of a sudden we are getting questions and they are demanding answers and I ask more questions - like is the person looking at our stuff properly trained and cleared? No answer.

Here is the information you want -- not good enough. Another VA team member helped me and I sent that information along. Good enough for this crowd? Of course not. Now they want me to dig into the information I sent, and pull out the one nugget that will answer their question. Think about that boy and girls, I send them a document and say - this should answer your question. They read the email then send me a message saying - basically - go into the document you sent me YOU read it and tell me what it said and point me to the one place that answers the question I asked you in the first place. Huh? Kiss my grits. I am desperately trying not to send back a message with the following text, "Dear Southern PITA's I will put the same priority to your request that you put on my requests. I should be done in a few days." (which according to their time/space ripple will be sometime late next week).

Today - Wednesday is my day at home. And It's all so very very nice except for having to get up at 0-dark-30 to meet the bug guy at the lodge. Thanks Bubba for setting up that appointment so freaking early... if it were up to me it would have been 1:00 pm. Thus far today I'd dealt with that, checked my email, enjoyed the back and forth between my boss and the Southern Napoleon telling me I am refusing his request - which I am not - he has all the information he needs if he's willing READ THE FREAKING DOCUMENT. and I've wandered... I've spoken to my father, he's all squared away - forgot to email him with a requested link - all tended. Sorry Pap. And then I got a call from the Girl's group adult. Now I've caught everyone up, I'm going to post, then work on finding another job... OH SO tired of the one I got.

Stayed tuned... there might be some napping later this afternoon.