And what a weekend it was....

Let's start with Friday - uneventful. Work's big accomplishment was lunch, we went to an Indian buffet. It was good, I enjoyed it all afternoon as I am want to do with Indian food. Bubba managed to get home before midnight and picked up a pizza, heck I went all out and made a salad to go with the veggies on our pizza. I know!!

Saturday was errand Saturday - we dropped off his car for an oil change - after Bubba had his massage. Then went to the lodge and dealt with a small detail there, I dropped off the dry cleaning, went found the engraving place THEN we found a place for lunch. eh - we saw diner took a chance and were not impressed, it was a sandwich place without anything to write home about. Then we went home, Bubba was on the computer, I cleaned the kitchen, started laundry and then hotted up left overs before we went over to the neighbors for another round of power grid. I think they are finding their semi-empty nest a worrisome thing... it was still a good night. Bubba actually lost two games! I got close but alas - enjoyed the social more than the anything else. Oh sure I want to win... but it wasn't in the cards that night.

We slept in sunday - at least Bubba did - Shelby permitted me those few extra minutes of nap time... we then went and had some lunch/breakfast then went (insert painful music here) washing machine shopping. Now before we left Bubba was on the computer again, looking at ratings etc... he had printouts, Sunday circulars, we were ready. You'd think with all that in hand we'd have a good idea of what we wanted. nope. We go to store one, new chain to the area, they talk to us, the salesman takes his time, explains my options, what the various buttons means so there was quite the education right there. We take his card and make our way to store #2, which I hate, it's loud the salespeople are either non-existent, greasy and tattooed or just clueless. Now I will say at the Buy-More of Blue appliance center didn't meet all these standards, we found the one washer "we" agreed on, Bubba in his way wrote down model number, price and semi-visible salesperson's name and away we went.

Now before I blame Bubba on the washer decision, I learned a lot at store #1 and we discussed space to fit said washer in current space. If we went taller than X my shelf would have to move, and it he raised it up it was useless to me - as I would not longer be able to reach it. SO with that bit of data we limited ourselves to a more modest less "HAL" type washer.

Nana has HAL the washing machine. It was named after 2 tries got it into my parents basement, my father got a good look at it - and he carefully made his way back up the stairs vowing never to return to the basement. Then he called me. He detailed the fact that the washing machine had indeed told him, that if it was unhappy with the soap, his underwear would be confetti. I do believe the doctors have adjusted Dad's meds since that day - but based upon what I saw yesterday - I don't think he he had help in terms of the good pharmaceuticals.

I saw the appliance my mum-in-law purchased - again they failed to meet the height requirement not to mention the budget busting price and it was the learned opinion of both Bubba the researcher and both knowledgeable sales people that particular brand has put more money into marketing and their spokes person than anything to make the machines do their jobs well. We moved on to store #4. Apparently Bubba and I had a sign around our necks that was flashing (good credit score) because we had more help than we wanted, when we pointed out that their price for the same washer was $200 more than Stores 1 and 2 they happily took 15 minutes of my life to search that out and discover - why yes the number we quoted wasn't fiction. Thank you very much. THEN they tried to convince me that more of my money should be spent on this extended warranty mess - that if there was something wrong I'd have to deal with the manufacturer. You - pumpkin are going to work with me IF I buy this mess? Really. I'll take my chances with the manufacturer. Nice try.

So Bubba a new lower number, called Guy at store #1, as we both would much rather deal with him than the "folks" at store #4. Since he got voice mail - we went to Store #5. No boys and girls I am not kidding. At Store #5 they didn't carry the brand we've been looking at - I was brain dead and ready to be done with this - so thankfully we walked out and went home. Bubba back on the computer... me with my nose in a book to tune out the world - oh and love the pups.

Finally I made dinner - pre-cooked beef (i.e. I had cooked it before) and a soup kit mix, earlier in the day we got a loaf a good bread and that was dinner. Hey I had to doctor it, watch and dump the dishes in the sink, give me some credit. ;-)

Finally I leave this thought of the following transaction of this morning. Bubba has become his own freight train at night, between him and my several nightly runs to the potty I'm not sleeping well. The best sleep I've been getting lately is the 60-90 minutes I steal while Bubba is showering and leaving. Only this morning he found it necessary to screech at me, and when I got unhappy about being awakened in such a manner - Bubba gets mad and makes it out that I am the problem. huh? I'm sleeping, I have an alarm set so I don't wake up at 10:30 - not that I would be missed - but still--- I don't need you darling husband to stand next to our bed and screech like a 12 year old girl and laugh when I jump thinking something was being murdered.... I was premature in that thought... Bubba. Terribly sorry honey - didn't see you there at 3 AM -- when I was up --- did those crashing cymbals wake you up? Total accident I swear! And it isn't funny - really? I thought it was hilarious.

Doesn't everyone have a set of cymbals under their bed for just such emergencies?

Ok Maybe it is just me...

The latest crisis...

And other in-law tales.... yesterday they called, looking for Bubba who of course cannot be reached due to move to an interior office and he didn't bother to give that new number to anyone but me. Sigh. So Bubba Sr. called, news of today? Fire at the condo!!! OMG!

Of course first thing I asked was is everyone was all right, do they need anything, do they need us to come home this weekend to help/ clean/ pack/whatever. No, everyone is fine they are staying with Bubba's Sister that night then they are headed to a hotel - just smoke and water damage to their place, other two units - burnt to the ground! Yeesh! But the really fun part of all this - the fire and mess took place at 10 AM - they called Bubba at 6:00 PM. Let that sink in. You have a fire - and you wait 7 hours to call your son. Heaven forbid someone had been hurt! When would you have called - the next day? Now I called Bubba told him to call his parents, which he did.

I asked after he got home, any additional news re: the in-laws. He restated the conversation I had had with them, and he shook his head. So I pressed (needing blog fodder and being nosey) and he said talking to them was an act of frustration, and he actually stated that "why did they wait so long to call?" Ask them pumpkin. Oh the strife I foresee as these people get older and we find out something happened days and weeks after the fact... oh yeah baby.

Of course this was after the really good interview I had had with another small company. And I do mean small.... but it was exciting it was cool and it's a NEW area - and I'd have to actually work for a living. Go figure. ;-) UPDATE - I've got an offer letter... looks like i am leaving Large Nameless Corporation... no date yet - need customer approval, but it's more than I've got from anyone else - including Large Nameless Corporation. Holy cow!!!

So I have to get my friend who sent this guy my resume something nice - flowers I think as she's on a diet. Networking baby - use it and store it! Whoo hooo...

All right--- chicken casserole for dinner Bubba is going to be late and something nice for Aunt Ing, like some new spring work clothes! Did I mention I walk in the door with 4 weeks vacation. Extra bonus boys and girls!!!! All right now - I have to go and think about how my life is going to work without outside access 8 plus hours a day. I will figure it out. I can't begin to think how many places have my work email... oh THAT is going to be fun. So here is to waiting for the nebulous customer approval, and the muted celebration that I will enjoy alone tonight - then the bigger one when we get the final OK!!!

Later...

The work week that isn't....

On the up side of life I have paying work until mid-April - on the down side, we have nothing to do. Of course Aunt Ing is taking full advantage, Monday with thunder storms, crawling traffic and a body too tired to care about anything, I went back to sleep for an hour. I got up and emailed the boss and said I was working from home today due to the interview - yeah that is the reason.

So - I dealt with home issues, and then dressed and headed out the door... only to discover that I had forgotten my wallet - had to turn around get home, get that, pick up Bubba's shirts - (I didn't leave the slip for him Saturday) then started in one direction - turned around and went another direction - then realized the stupid gps on the phone thought the road I was on was done, it's not - so I had to weave my way around the back roads then got back on major highways all the while thinking I couldn't be late.

Thankfully I wasn't, it was a great conversation, got dinner out of the deal and a promise to keep in touch. No, no firm offer but I felt things were left on a positive note and he would try and find a place for me. I was honest in what I wanted, hey I figure if I'm leaving 16 years seniority I want a path and a new path instead of the rut I've dug in my current career. Of course parts of me like this rut, I come and go as I please and know the system. Learning a new system will require work - but its always nice to work at something new... a challenge as they say...

And I've wandered off into ramble land haven't I? We will see, heck the man emailed me at 7:00 AM the next morning. Yeesh - I should probably check on that those morning type people. Eek...

Talked to Nana on my way home, it was nice we blathered about this that and the other - work, home and the idiots that are the girl's group "adults". But again that is in the past and we have moved on!! Tuesday I actually went into work - there were 5 of us left there - we sat in the small eatery in the building for lunch talking of resumes, interviews and the rest - fun group isn't it? I then headed out for a massage - a hot stone massage, I nodded off several times I was jello-d mush by the time he was done with me... oh so very very nice. I got home took out my contacts as they were gritty - the sleep thing, and found that I have a big new space in my back yard! They had come and removed the fallen tree in our back yard. I fear we have misplaced a number of bird families and possibly the bunnies. There are plenty of other places the bunnies can go - not like they are worried about being in my yard... Shelby doesn't chase them and Violet runs at a leisurely pace so they don't have to put a lot of effort into getting away.

I made dinner it was salads. Hey I had to chop slice, cook eggs and chicken and toss dressing on it all. I ate early - Bubba ate later. I was sound asleep before 9:30 PM last night.

Today - again working from home, boss told me to - he said gas is too much money for all that. I agreed, so I slept in a bit, got moving, and now sit here wondering how to fill the hours without that guilty nagging feeling I should be doing more - but not real sure about what I can be doing. And round and round we go. I researched my interview today, need to deal with directions, and debate wardrobe. I am also hoping that the nasty weather will hold off until I get home... What am I going to serve Bubba for dinner - for some reason I'm in the mood for Mexican... I think it's going to be tacos. Just a mood thing I guess.

Bubba has been quite chipper these days no moaning about my being gone all weekend, so crack about this that and the other - he was happy with dinner, accepted the fact Monday night he had to get his own dinner as my interview included dinner. I'm waiting with what comes next. His parents will be coming through Saturday for lunch, I have nothing planned this weekend, Brother and his family will be invading next weekend... I guess it isn't fair to Bubba but I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Who knows! I do have to do some laundry so he's got undergarments to wear for the rest of the week - poor baby. Actually should have done that a few hours ago - so I'll do a load before I leave and finish up when I get home. Its how I make my life work when I ignore something... LOL yeah I am a dork.

I will post how THIS interview went and I've got to goose the company folks to see what is happening there... so tired of this already...

Is it any wonder I've got (clap clap) too much time on my hands.... (STYX fans will remember that one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs

(it was the late 70's early 80's forgive me... )

Survivor the Girls' Group Game

Thursday started innocently enough... up logged on, no real work related emails, putzed, did some stuff - ran some errands got my hair done, got financial papers in order so Bubba wouldn't have a fit because I didn't get them done before I left. I was a good doobie that way... let the pups play in the sunshine, then packed up my stuff and away I went...

First phone call are we meeting at 4:00? No 3:00! Oh we will pack up!

As soon as I left home, phone call two, kid with pink eye, on drugs doctor said OK to travel - should she still travel? Am I her mother? Yeesh it's up to you!!! Yeah sure one less thing to think about. Phone call three, I have locked myself out of the house my son will be here in 20 minutes. (groaning and thinking of traffic...) Stay put we'll come to you. Pick up husband of adult who had so much crap it left no room for HER HUSBAND... Picked him up - figured out how to get to the girl who was locked out of her house, pack up and we're off... The ride up wasn't bad we made our way through Baltimore and out the other side, got to the location and away we went.

Everyone arrived safe and sound, found the pizza joint, enjoyed a relaxing dinner, then back to the hotel, sign in, pay up, and away we went.

Things were going well, Friday morning, a bit of a rush Friday for lunch, Friday night was fun... Saturday morning we got though Baby dedication, some issue with Mom has to be Rainbow - my wasn't - who the heck knows this stuff - if it ain't on the form how am I supposed to know this? Much this that and the other later - we solved the problem. On a side note I don't appreciate the other PITA adult in my local group volunteering ME to walk a baby around the room while they talk about mommy and gifts - NO WAY was I getting through that and frankly I refused to put myself through it - again personal stick personal craw.

THANKFULLY parents were so super cool about things it made life so much easier!!

Now let me tell you how my Saturday morning started, of course you're running on 5-6 hours sleep - which isn't great as you're sharing a room with 2 other women, plus I get up to pee however many times a night... its my job to make sure the girls are up and moving, so I get up walk down the hall way and one of my older girls tell me how she was called out of her room at 1:15 AM and faced a room full of adults without the benefit of having her local advisor there (me) or her own MOTHER present!!! WTH? The kid hits me with this information at 7:00 AM by 7:20 I was showered dressed and so mad I'm surprised there wasn't steam coming out of my ears! I found same idiot woman got another story - we cornered kid, mom, me and all adults we traveled with. We got the whole story, kid stood up - I gave her that but I was still mad at the adults in the room, how could you do that to a kid. Yeah she got lippy - you deal with it when it happens quietly and move on.

Now between the shower and the dressing the girl's mother sits there and cries!!!! She's taking her girls home, boo hoo hoo... seriously? I barked at her, stop that crying it's contagious, the girls see you like this it will make matters worse, get mad fight for your kids - your husband isn't here - DO SOMETHING BESIDES SIT THERE. Instead I did. Now I just have to stop her from whining from here to kingdom come. I don't know if I did the right thing, I got to the bottom of the story I got things handled and we moved on. I told daughter, mother and all it ends at the hotel Sunday we aren't talking about it again. We will see how long that lasts.

We got through the rest of weekend with little drama, I had family arrive Saturday night and that was a good thing. THEY were helpful and fun... Sunday ah Sunday morning - a decent breakfast, girls 3/4's asleep, a quick church service, pack it up and home we go!!!! Got home at a decent hour, putzed around the house, then went next door enjoyed a munchies party and slushies!!!

Came home and was asked, "what is for dinner - I skipped lunch." After screaming into my pillow in order to avoid the murder 1 charge, Bubba's meal was prepared. I read while he watched hockey. This boys and girls is our life - excitement our us...

Which got us to Monday........

Well - aren't I almost efficent...

Almost - up moving, to work, forgot to put make up on today... frankly I'm still amazed my co-workers didn't run screaming from the room... "worked" to day applied for two more jobs, one said salary might be an issue. Deal with it pumpkin last time I checked I don't work for apples - pay up - cash money.

I did get my Girl's Group paper work organized, headed home, picked up luggage I'm hauling for tomorrow, a trip to Costco for supplies for the ladies group dropped them off at the lodge, headed home, made dinner, ate it, printed out more paperwork for the finance guy - rumor of needing something notarized... cripes.

Tomorrow is going to be go go go from alarm until arrival and then some. I have to make my Mart run because it got too late tonight to get that done. Then hair appointment I have to get to early to meet girls group adult who is sending cookies - bless her heart. Then hair, breathe, pack up and head out. Then drive with the husband of another adult and the poor kid who lives near him. I should have told her to bring her ipod. So 1 hour trapped in my car with what can only be described as the world's most important man - in his own mind. I will be smiling, nodding and wondering how to sneak a beer when I get there.

I am debating bringing the computer I probably won't have the time or privacy to post - so be warned it might be a few days before I claw my way out from teenage heck to post that I am alive and well. Off now to clean my kitchen, as we're down to 2 clean glasses and Bubba will probably have those used before I get upstairs...

REALLY need to win that mega lottery thing-y like the big big jackpot... seriously. Until then, time to do the dishes.

Welcome to in-law free Tuesday...

Such as it was, the usual, up, pups, nod off, up rushing, dentist appointment - all good Ma! Mosey into work, sit around, chat, apply for a job or 3 have a co-worker get in contact with a former working buddy - I have an interview next week!

I also coordinated cookie pickup for the girls, Thursday, coordinated the luggage pick up for Wednesday and still made dinner and made the meeting (without Bubba knowing it was a meeting) while he ate dinner and watched hockey.

Oh - and remember I don't get things done around here according to the man I married because I'm too busy doing "lodge crap". I will confess that the 2 groups I am involved in do and can suck up a great deal of time - but I like belonging and doing rather than sitting and being a hermit. But that is just me and that is just his shallow end of the gene pool.

I have to tell the story of last night - or early evening... they let out Bubba Sr. of the hospital about 4 pm. He called wanted to do dinner then head 2 hours south for the night - then deal with work, clothes and such then head north to PA for his "rest and relaxation" he won't get much of that until heads back south but that is just my nosey opinion. Ok fine, he calls his son who tells his beloved father than it will be the better part of 2 hours before he could possible get home, he had to finish (insert excuse here). Bubba Sr and Jr call me, Sr. asks to meet for dinner - I head out. You only get one set of parents Bubba you moron, tend to them. Of course I had to call Nana and give her the dish and to stop my brain from a meltdown and ask "who does this? Who says I have to work instead of losing an hour and sharing a meal with your parents? Need I remind him that HE'S STILL A FREAKING TEMP???

Any who - I get home, we head out to dinner just as we sit down who should call but Bubba... I'm on my way home, where are you can you order for me? Seriously. So WE order and figure his will be in the form of box it up to go home. But as the traffic gods were kind yesterday he (and I) had a nice drive home, he arrived just as our dinners did - I pre-ordered so his salad arrived just before he did and he sat and ate dinner with his parents. So the question is - did the guilt do him in or the possibility of hearing from his mother that he couldn't be bothered to leave work and eat a meal with his family. I'm guessing door number 1 with a splash of door number 2.

Only in Bubba-land are the traffic gods kind and he makes dinner within a semi-reasonable hour. My luck it would have been 9 PM... but I digress.

So meal enjoyed, hugs and kisses and home we go. It was quiet Monday night. Has Bubba checked in with said parental units today? You know just to check in? One guess boys and girls - if you said Yes - go back to the beginning of this blog and study up. If you said No - very good you can pick for the prize pack of stale bubble gum or Pete Rose's all stars of baseball screw ups... either way its a win! ;-)

Tomorrow I think I will dub - Aunt Ing is an idiot day. Why? Because she has agreed to pick up luggage for the weekend, and supplies for the ladies group on her way home from work. Plus I have to make sure there is enough food in the house for the weekend so poor helpless Bubba can manage to fend for himself oh yeah and I've got to run to The Mart for breakfast stuff, pantyhose, eye stuff and whatever else I may need for this weekend. Too bad Valium isn't over the counter yet... will definitely need that too... only after I talk to Bubba... ;-)

I still have bills to pay and reminders to write so - signing off for tonight - and wondering when I will learn how to say no! Not soon I'm guess.

And finally this gem... I am in the computer room, you can hear me typing ... what the devil do you think I'm doing in here??? And yes apparently I left the bathroom light on - tell me and save the nagging for someone who cares.

Bubba is apparently still searching for the perfect wife who will never forget anything - good luck with that one hon - I hope she likes living cheap because I will take it all. After all, it's all written here isn't it? LOL

Later - as in Monday...

Sunday night got long - sort of... Bubba arrived home with his mum in time to deal with the finance guy - all handled. and I managed not to mention that Bubba and I are big supporters of the 2nd amendment... and if you lose that nest egg you'll discover just how big... ya feel me big boy?

But I didn't - I thought - but the filter kicked in - I know surprised me too. :-)

We took Mum J out to a nice Italian dinner - I was in the mood for pasta, we shared wine, food and a bit of good conversation. I say a bit, as Mum J doesn't watch the news much, Bubba has no clue what is going on in the world and none of us wanted to bring up the rest of the family. Least of all me - well - no I did but that was only to pump details out of her for blog fodder, Bubba would assume I'd pump for reasons of gossip within families... he's not entirely wrong - but it will more blog fodder. ;-)

And in another "how does he do this?" his father is being released today - so no great need to take the day off of work. HOWEVER - why wouldn't you take the day off from work to get your mum from point A to point B because she doesn't drive in the city. Especially now that they have to come back to my house to pick up the dog, and will probably be there when we get home! But NO! He's out the door before I've barely opened my eyes - frankly if you ask me he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Now I did offer to take her. She said not to worry.

And who does she call when she takes the wrong exit off the beltway - her son? Of course not she calls me - I have not been to this place have no clue where it is - I pull up a map guide her back onto the road she needs to be on - and that fact that I haven't heard back from her in over an hour hopefully tells me she found the place - or she's lost in DC without a clue how to drive and call for help. I am really hoping it's door number 1.

Work - is - slow. I am looking for another job. That is all I am doing and my brain is turning to mush while my worried button is beginning to get hit more and more - oh sure I've got irons in the fire but you know this massive axe is hanging over you... its a little worrisome. A little. I know I've got at least 5 weeks and if that work in Maryland comes through well won't that just be fine and dandy. Except I will be working on customer site cut off from the world for 8 plus hours a day and my Russell Crowe posters will have to find a home at home. Won't that make Bubba all sorts of happy--- NOT. This too shall pass...

Had lunch with co-workers, we are recounting job search stories, another guy is leaving, my office mate is done this week, people are dropping like flies - at this point I will be the last one out the door - whether i have a job or not!

This week is also Girl's Group weekend, so working home Thursday - driving to Baltimore that afternoon- and gone until Sunday. Then to my neighbor's munchies party on Sunday - I told her I'd be there - I didn't promise perky.

All right back at it... and maybe send a little something skyward - "Aunt Ing needs a job... oh yeah and Dad-in-law could use a little watching over too..."

That was certainly a left turn wasn't it?

So... Today is Sunday... I lost Saturday in a mish-mash of my own stupidity and a busy day - oh and toss in an unexpected Mum-in-law visit and we've got soup!

Here is the story... Friday please ask me why I wasted the gas.. and the makeup. NO one is in, then the boss wanders in and I say - screw it, make a nail appointment, make a hair appointment for next week (washing that unmentionable color right out of my hair) and tell the boss - see ya Monday - what's he going to do fire me?

Off to the nail place, got my toes done, candy pink and fun, got the finger nails done, Rainbow appropriate muted pink, plus it was better for interviews I think than that funky purple color I had, plus we had some chips in the paint - not working for me. Got the eyebrows done and 2 hours and a bit later we headed home.

Bubba called and reminded me that we had a lodge thing to do that night, no biggie in my world, he was home at 7 we were out the door at 7:20 and were having meat free Chinese by 8:15. Not that Bubba remembered - we're in Lent and we're almost Catholics if this is one thing I can remember then I will do that... after all we all know I'm going to be getting a great tan in the afterlife...

ANYWAY... we get home, veg out - phone rings... of course Bubba is cranky but it ain't my side this time... his father has had a minor heart attack, he's all right and will be transferring to a semi-local hospital Saturday for tests and checks and all that awful medical stuff they do to people. Saturday plans for Bubba have now changed.

He gets up, finds the hospital, calls for directions and heads out the door before. I get up, dressed, ran a quick errand then headed to my lunch date with my friend... and in what I can only term the mother of all brain farts - I headed down the wrong street, got myself all turned around GPS on the phone had me more lost than I was... so finally I pulled over, I got the RIGHT addressed smacked myself in the head a few times to get the last remaining working brain cell to fire, turned around got on the right track and hit --- utility work closing 2 of 3 lanes. I paid in full for all the nasty words I said sitting there. I got there - finally - we had a GREAT lunch caught up - enjoyed our yearly drool fest from Canada!! and parted ways with a drop off and off you go...

Then went home, cleaned up, did a quick load of laundry including sheets, and my dress for Saturday night and got that all done. Bubba came home, sat around and left when I did to go back and spend the evening with his father. (He'd been there all day - please don't ask me why with gas at $3.50 a gallon he drove home and back again for no good reason --- but he did)

I went to my ladies' group installation, in a clean pressed dress, all went well until I was the last one there with the new president because she sucked the girls into being the kitchen help - and i didn't warn them... and I wanted to make sure things were done. So there I was newly cleaned and pressed white dress pouring out the coffee pot and dealing with coffee grinds. Frankly I think that should count in the good column - I'm working on the football words.

I still managed to beat Bubba home, chilled out, he came home, warned me that the mum-in-law would be arriving early and said we should go to bed... its an exciting life we lead isn't it? Sunday morning Shelby won't take No for an answer and remembering the mornings I didn't listen I was up - sort of moving and enjoying a few minutes of peace. Which turned into an hour - and low and behold did Mum-in-law arrive with me still in sweatpants and PJ's. No biggie, quick change, cups of tea and Bubba in the shower. He comes down, I make him eat breakfast, and off they go - I get dog sitting duty and am happy for it!!! Of course I also doggie yard clean up so you take the good and the bad. I did that, made iced tea, made some bar cookies from the mix I bought, cleaned my kitchen, cleaned out the fridge, ran the dishwasher from all the plastic wear I had holding munchie party left overs that were beginning to age... grabbed some lunch, did a couple of loads of laundry went to deal with banking and bills only to discover... password problem with the on line bank - its Sunday I'm screwed. I will deal with that Monday but not before the wrath of anal retentive Bubba will bluster and blow and be cranky all over... deal with it pumpkin its Sunday - banks don't do Sunday.

Now we have to deal with finace guy, I've got to go put on pants and we'll talk later - like why won't a son take a freaking day off of work to be with his parents during a major medical procedure and so your flipped out Mother doesn't have to drive to DC alone? Really! I said I would take the day off and take her - because I was raised right. Family first Bubba even if they annoy the living snot out of you.

More peeves to pet later.... Aunt Ing

Should I worry about the water wings on the dog?

It's raining, based upon the news reports this morning it you would have thought Noah just sent out a tweet "two by two only - later suckers". Last time I checked he hadn't, but then again I'm not up on the tweetie-type stuff. It annoys me as it baffles me.

While no, neither of my pampered pups have water wings - as neither of those furry babies cares much for the stuff falling from the sky - especially the big black pup, you have to force her to go and then only when she really really really has to go. Its a life isn't it?

Apparently I need to not work from home too frequently - I talked to Nana for an hour last night - mostly about yesterday's post. Apparently that bit of nonsense hasn't lost all it's flavor. ;-) but I have moved on.

I applied for two more jobs today - without a lot of heart into it -- yes I need a job, but it's raining and will take me forever to get home so I'm staying put because I'm not in the mood to burn $3.50 per gallon gas sitting and staring at the taillights in front of me. Plus I haven't heard from the proposal win that was supposed to happen yesterday.

more later - people interrupts

I am the busy woman -- with an issue.

Well - mostly. Worked from home today and overslept - apparently I needed that extra hour, and its not like the dogs minded (post breakfast) and worked missed me. Its Wednesday I'm working from home and the deadlines are pretty much gone - so again what's the big?

I did log on, tend to work issues such as they are, and sent an email to the guy who called yesterday and said he has work for me... when they win it - tomorrow - which is actually today. I haven't heard anything so he's either partying it up or word hasn't arrived yet -- or he's left a message on my office answering machine - which says if it is Wednesday call the other number!!

Bubba said this morning he's not sure when he's getting home tonight - color me surprised. So I will cook twice - well 1.5 times as baked fish must be done right and leaving it and microwaving it won't be good... no biggie.

I've got a peeve to pet this afternoon, and this one has stewed since Sunday, more like an off and on when my mind wanders... Sunday I got yet another phone call from another adult in the Girl's group who did attend Saturday's meeting of never ending sitting around-ness. Now yes as Nana can attest this woman in a professional pain in the nether regions but as I point out to the girls she drives crazy - her heart is in the right place it's her head that is scattered across hell's half acre. That being said she called no less that 6 times before the meeting and twice the day after.

Now the first phone call came while Bubba was in the shower, and I was hoping to get her off the phone fast enough to avoid the inevitable grumping and moaning about "lodge crap" - but no she was chatty and I hung up after his royal highness exited the bathroom - of course he went immediately to cranky face and attitude stating that "lodge crap" is the biggest issue in our marriage - yeah he is that clueless now as we have had this argument again and again I frankly wasn't in the mood, but I did AGAIN point out that mostly I was gone Monday nights and it was the month of March that tended to suck giant parts of my time, mostly the 4 days I was gone to Baltimore for the State convention ... ANYWAY!! I said I haven't completely quit because I like doing with the girls and he actually said to me "you don't do it for the girls you do it for you - and probably because we don't have kids."

If he had hit me across the face he couldn't have hurt me more. WE don't have children due to biology and a entire continent worth of issues most of which was the disinterested nature of the would be father figure in this picture... and I'm wandering. My reason for chewing on this until the flavor is past gone is this - I cannot talk to him about anything girls or ladies group. That is his hot button issue, oh sure I could stop going to anything - sit home every night while he worked 18 hour days and wait on his sorry backside. I like being with people having a lunch or party to attend, even a meeting is good. Yes there are times I don't want bothered but I go and do an am better for it.

I do like the kids yes they frustrate the living crap out of me but that is all part of the process - I like seeing them shine - and yes selfishly when they do well I feel a sense of pride in their work. Am I wrong there?

I really don't feel like I'm substituting for something but I know I enjoy doing it. I am a joiner probably because I was such a wall flower in school, these groups allow me not to be, to belong. I don't need to be center stage I just want to be part of the group. I like that. He has no idea how much I don't do because he would have a fit - I haven't traveled for a long time - I'm doing some but not a lot and like I said its not like I'm gone every night of the week - except this one. ;-) But tomorrow night I will be gone and back before he gets home!!!

I have simply sat and questioned myself about my motives with the girls, yes I like being in charge but I would LOVE someone else to do it for a change, and am actively looking for that warm body ... stay tuned for that... so I put out my thoughts into the digital hinterland wondering who is the crazy pain... me or my husband.

Y'all know my vote - and it ain't me.

Stayed tuned for the "I paddled into work today" Thursday post weather man says 2-3 inches of rain on top of an already soaked back yard... ah muddy paws and long commutes life just doesn't get any better than that does it?

It's been one heck of a ride....

This job hunting stuff is HARD... and you gotta wear a dress, and smile, and say smart stuff, like I sure do know how that dare thingy works real gooder even. You know smart stuff like that. ;-)

Thursday was a whirl wind and Friday was a driving force - the driving being done by me... down 3 hours down the road for possible, maybe hey let's talk. The manager sprang for dinner and hotel so I could make the trip and meet the entire team - I can't beat that. Then drive like Smokey and the
Bandit back to Maryland to "we'd love to have you -- we just have to wait to win the work" urp.

Ah - sweetie - need job now not in a month - really. OK fine - I'll call I'll write I'll wait like the red headed step child I'm beginning to feel like.... then I took the rest of the afternoon off. And did things like clean the kitchen, pick up the bedroom and make dinner - oh yeah and I dropped off stuff for Rainbow girls and made 12 phone calls and went grocery shopping, and then made homemade pizza. I ate my at 6:00 PM I was starving as I only had breakfast Friday morning, then ran around and drove around so by the time I got home - I was starving.

Bubba got his nose a bit out of joint when I had eaten before his "early" arrival of 7:30 PM. Some one must really teach him the meaning of that world to the rest of the freaking world. Seriously. He actually talked to me Friday night, like conversation - apparently for one night I was missed. Yeah I know I did check the temperature in hell just to make sure they weren't doing triple axles down there... apparently things still warm -no film at 11.

Saturday was busy! Up and moving about 9ish... had to make a quick run with girl's group stuff since I was ditching a meeting... it was saving a major argument and frankly that day is soooo long I don't mind missing it. Bubba sprang for breakfast out, we ran some errands and bopped home for a few hours, them we met with a financial planner type guy - and they talked and talked about our retirement which right now seems so far away I can't begin to process it. I'll kill Nick if this guys turns out to be a moron... then I'll get him and his little dog - don't mess with Aunt Ing's nest egg she worked too hard for those scraps!

So! then very quick trip to the grocery store I wanted to make a goodie to take to the neighbors where we were playing Bubba's favorite game because he always wins... Powergrid, and since this neighbor had previously treated us so well at her last party I had to do something. I got the stuffed mushrooms together and while I was finishing Bubba decided he was going to make our steak sandwiches. Which I was going to toss together while the mushrooms cooked they take about 25 minutes. At the pace I had I was about 5 minutes behind schedule - not bad considering I had Bubba at the grocery store with me... So because he figures we overpaid for the provolone cheese we bought - he had to put extra on there while over cooking the steaks and slathering on enough mayo for 4 sandwiches in my world.... yeesh. Yes I was amazed and semi-appreciative of the efforts but next time - stay out of my way less muss and less fuss and I don't eat a mayo-cheese sandwich with some steak. The kitchen is not your room pumpkin stay out of it and we'll get along just fine.

Then went on to have a GREAT night with the neighbors and came home half drunk and died. Sunday - was so much better, late morning, ran a few errands, made dinner at home that was very good, and got most of the laundry done.

Now we are back to "work" which consists of sitting in our offices looking for another job. I am re-doing my resume, I am fielding emails and phone calls and wondering why I waste the gas. My office mate and friend has a good hook and looks like she has found her next job! I'm thrilled but will miss her terribly. We'll keep in touch I like her too much not to.

I had two offers but only if we win the work... there in lies the rub. So I wait continue to send out more resumes that display my marketable skills, winning personality and the small stink of panicked desperation. ;-)

Wednesday I am working from home, which merly means same function different location... while I listen to the dogs snore instead of the guy across the hall on a conference call. And he doesn't share the juicy secrets - I'll pump the gal for that later in the week.

On a fun "Aunt Ing the idiot note" I started the washer and didn't check the sink it dumps water into.. we had a small flood. Needless to say Bubba was neither happy nor helpful I got the mess 3/4 of the way done then he decides to come help me... this help consisted of him taking a sopping wet towel wringing it out, and pushing it around a wet floor. When I oh-so-helpfully pointed out that all he was doing was moving wet around, he didn't believe me until I handed him a drier towel and low and behold - the water was removed instead of just moved. Go figure.

I think it is time for me to push on that new washer - it appears to have peed again tonight... what joy and what bliss as I look forward to shopping for another major appliance with the man I married. And will someone please explain to me how he has a say in a tool he doesn't know how to use? Because I stupidly let him... I think we will do like we do the car - I want that - go find the best price. Just this model - do not move from that path and just deal with the numbers you know Bubba the thing that keeps you at work for all hours of the day and night.

I think I will work on the delivery - but the thought is the same.

Who functions on this stuff???

Cold meds - you dirty minded bunch. Really. Haven't you all been paying attention - I lead a very boring life and lately it's been seriously quiet. Tuesday I stayed home, heavily medicated and attempting to nap... but my neighbors across the street chose that day to have every tree in their back yard removed, and chipped in the front yard... all day long...

And I found out that the History Channel has moved all its WWII programming to daytime programming. Actually I'm enough of a nerd to enjoy the science stuff they did to figure out the mysteries of Hitler's death and how the high ranking Nazi's got out of Germany after the war. Not good news to us Italian Catholics... but the Russians weren't much help either - so I'll hang on to that one.

I managed to cook dinner Tuesday night - it involved sauce, noodles and chicken here eat this. He's lucky he didn't get a phone call and a "pick up" or - we're eating soup.

Wednesday I managed to get moving - late - and managed to haul my backside into work. I don't know why -- oh yeah the HR lady was in with her good news presentation basically it was here are the tools, nag at HR to do their jobs and - good luck! Thanks pumpkin - this information might have been handy a week ago - we've managed to muddle our way through without you. Oh and when you sit in a room of people facing layoffs spouting statistics like 17% on-line hiring and 43% redeployment rate... best industry standard. Did she feel the vibe in the room like I did? The great sucking sound of hope? Maybe that's just me...

So today another day of moving shifting and applying for jobs. Again for those of you who don't know - I can not only make bacon, cook the bacon, serve the bacon but -- coat it in milk chocolate and serve it up so even a vegan health nut will find it appealing. Yes that's right boys and girls when it comes to her job - Aunt Ing can do it all! And she can keep it all a big dark secret. I should interview great sounding like Kermit's Aunt Mable with a 2-pack a day habit.

Back at it - and at least meds are making it fun...