Die! Die! Die!
Ok, while
this article is ridiculously over the top, I can totally sympathize with the general sentiment. I used to love going to the stores on the Friday after Christmas, just to be in with a crowd of people who were in good moods, listening to Christmas music, and admiring the decorations. But the madness that this has evolved into means that I'll wait until one of my Mondays off to do all of that. There won't be crowds, but it'll just give me more room to wander with my baby and look at lights.
And then I'll order my presents
from here . Mwah-ha-ha-ha-haaaa, take that big box stores!
Labels: Seasons
in Just-spring
Ah, it's spring time, and the farmers markets are in bloom. The temp here was 45 when I headed to work, and looks like it peaked out at 68 today. So it's hard to think of this as "summer". But I'm now anxiously awaiting Chris's return home, because I hit the farmer's market on the way home from work. I have salad fixins, locally grown pork, fresh broccoli, and the best smoked salmon I've ever had. No, really. It's actually a good thing that there's a limit on how long these last, or I would go broke. But for now all of you can eat your heart out.
Updated June 7 (aka the next day): 90 for the high today. 32 degrees difference. Go figure.
Labels: Seasons
Holiday Weekend
Random thoughts for the weekend. I seem to be the queen of random thoughts these days. I blame it on the pregnancy. Then again, I blame EVERYTHING on pregnancy.
- The weather here has been phenomenal. Sunshine, bright blue skies, temps in the 70s and low 80s. Just perfect for Chris to take off to State College for a 40 mile mountain bike ride with some friends. He was sweating it a bit that he was going to be "that guy". The only one on the ride who just can't seem to keep up. But it turns out that he was useful mechanically, and able to hang with two of the riders while the other two were definitely much better. So he came home happy and tired.
- We got the Volvo! Sweet! It took us 3 1/2 hours to do paperwork though. Alas it's been so long since we've had to go through that whole maneuver that we came a little underprepared. So that meant two trips - one home, one to the bank. Then add to that a few minor things that we were settling with the dealership, some computer problems, and we'll just say that I was quite ready for lunch by the time we left.
- Do any other Catholic women have problems with bellies so big during their pregnancy that they can't kneel? My belly hits the pew in front of me, and I can barely get on the kneeler. I guess I'm sitting for the next 3 months.
Labels: Car, pregnancy, Seasons
Randomness
- I will take this winter every year. Instead of the usual 4 months of grey crappy misery, we've had outrageous amounts of sun, and winter didn't even start until January. And it's March and we've already hit the 70s. It's like living in Texas again. Except for the two weeks of sub 10 degree (F) highs.
- As long as the sun stays out, my hubby gets to mountain bike ride this PM. Which means I may get to pawn off the spastic mutts on him to exhaust them. High fives all around!
- Had the ultrasound on Tuesday. I'm finding that one of the bad things about not finding out gender is when you tell people "We had the ultrasound today!" and they ask "How did it go?" all you can answer is "Good! The baby is normal!" Talk about damning with faint praise. But saying "Good! The baby is miraculous!" might be a bit over the top for the average acquaintance. The few oddities they found were all issues with me (not baby), and not something most people want details on. So I've just sort of floundered on...
- Along with the ultrasound we were treated to genetic counseling. I liked our friend JH's description of that. By the time he walked out of the genetic counseling he was pretty sure they were giving birth to the kid from Deliverance. I think we were somewhat disappointing, being disgustingly healthy and all. The only thing to discuss with us is my age. Oh and my height. I was asked whether I might have Marfan Syndrome and asked whether I had sunken chest, eye probs, etc. Er...isn't that the kind of thing that a dr might mention? You know, any of the doctors I've seen? In the last 40 years?
Labels: pregnancy, Seasons
A walk in the park
Chris has been taking the dogs to work with him, which for me has been wonderful. It means that when I hit the door of the house after work, I don't immediately have to change and walk the dogs. It means that if I need to run errands, I can just do it on the way home without worrying about doggy bladders. And it means that when I walk in the door, I'm not dealing with El Destructo's work. Ginger has an art for finding things and destroying them. And making a huge mess in the process.
But yesterday, he needed to get some things done without the two pups under foot. So I swang by on my way home from work to pick them up. And since we were near the park, we went for a little walk.
Alas, I wasn't particularly dressed for it, but I at least had tennis shoes and some cycling socks. That's the yellow jersey on those socks - the moo-moo john! Knowing that it was going to be a weeeee bit muddy, I rolled my work pants up. Thankfully, there was no one out to admire my styling look. Normally it would have meant rain pants at least. We had a big snow melt in the last week, plus a few inches of rain. Apparently that didn't keep those who rode horseback out of the woods though, the trails were super chewed up with hoof prints, and there was horse poop everywhere. A few tire tracks from mountain bikers were showing, but as shallow as they were, I'm wondering if that's a hold over from when there was still snow.
The other bummer thing was that the lighting
was SUPER dramatic. And there I was, armed only with a cell phone camera. Oh well, them's the breaks, I probably would have lost both of the dogs had I been terribly focused on photography. That or Fred would finally have administered the beating that he thinks Ginger deserves. He did make her cry at one point, and that's with me sort of paying attention. Ah sibling rivalry. I can't wait to see what they do when they get a human sibling.
The big payoff is that we went out to eat at
Kassab's last night (why have I not done that before? That was really, really good!), and there was a minimum of destruction in the house. And Fred let Ginger live. Nothing like a good stretch of the legs to moderate everyone's humor.
Labels: Dogs, Seasons
The week in review
Labels: Dogs, Seasons
Winter with a vengeance
So this year we had 50 degrees until late January, then last week we had sub 10 degrees for a week. And yesterday and today we alternated snow-ice-snow.
End result? My company gave us a "snow day" for the first time in the 7 years I've worked in this area. The light rail lines were shut down completely for 12-18 hours because of ice build up on the power lines. Our street, which is usually toothbrushed clean when the first snowflake hits, as it's a semi-main artery, wasn't cleared until noon today. I like that for Valentine's Day, I got to stay home. Alas, hubby wasn't quite so lucky, but I like the thought.
Labels: Seasons
This is just wrong
Labels: Seasons
Uno Dos Tres Quattro Cinco Cinco Seis
How to know you're completely freakin' insane?
You take the dogs for a one hour walk in the morning. While it's 7 degrees fahrenheit outside. Let me tell you, in weather like that, I am totally stylin'. This morning it was a huge brown hat circa the 1980s, bright red coat, black rain pants, two layers of socks, old crappy tennies that desperately need to be replaced, and massive purple, white, and green ski gloves from my two horrible ski outings in the early '90s.
And all the girlies say she's pretty fly for a white guy...
Labels: Seasons
Laziness
As we speak, my husband is doing the marathon trek through the snow to Philly for tomorrow's Mac Prom. (He has a camera, be warned). Thanks to snowy weather and leaving during Rush Hour (DOH!), he'll take about 6 hours to do a 4.5 hour trip.
On the downside, I'm missing out on seeing the Mac crew. We had a blast last year. I learned how to make a fist and throw a proper punch. And careful now, boys, the guy who taught me how throw a proper punch is an ex-bouncer. The skinniest bouncer you could ever imagine, but I know he knows what he's doing.
But anyway, that means that I get to be snuggled up on the couch with a bowl of chili and a cup of hot tea. And the realization that I don't like the movie "The Player". Oh well, easy come, easy go. I had the dogs out in the snow earlier, so they're busy snoring up a storm, which gives me an unusual evening of quiet.
And in my surfing, I found out...
He's Back! Woohoo!
Labels: Love of My Life, Other Blogs, Seasons
The approach of VD
Just 2 weeks until Valentine's Day. Am I going to burn in wifely hell if I admit I've never been a fan of either VD or New Year's? I blame it on the fact that I was single for so long. And let's face it, when you're single and bitter, the last thing you want to see is co-workers getting flowers, people shnorgling at restaurants, or candy. Ok, well maybe chocolate would occasionally soothe the savage beast but...not really. Instead we (a group of friends both male & female) got together for Anti-VD day, which was fun in a bitter kind of way. Dinner! Dancing! Lots and lots of drinking! Ahhhh the good old days. I just don't miss that.
Even after Chris and I "became an item", well I still held/hold a grudge. I'm not precisely captain romance anyway. I was all touched the other day because my husband came home with YakTrax. He got tired of watching me slide around while I attempted to walk the dogs. But we'll make a concession to good St Valentine, and go out for dinner sometime that week. It also has the advantage of not actually having to plan anything. Woohoo!
Labels: Seasons
It's finally done....
And there was much rejoicing and wearing of silly hats
Labels: Seasons
Tis the (random thoughts) season
God, I love food day at work. Everyone in our department brought in something to eat today. My friend Tom brought in Scotch Eggs. Never heard of them? They’re heart attacks on a stick. Take a hardboiled egg, wrap it in sausage, bread that, and fry it. I’m pretty sure eating a whole one nullifies your life insurance. And wow, is it tasty.
It’s been a tough week, and I’m glad to see the Friday of it. Without going into too much detail, they re-orged my boss out of a job. Which has left everyone who worked for him devastated. Chris has been working a new job (hooray!), but we’re hearing that some at the old job are still grinding axes. Gentlemen: He has never told anyone that he was fired. He has told people that you transferred him from the place 5 minutes from home to the place ½ hour from home. And you told him on Friday that he started on Monday. Ok? You made a business decision. He made a business decision. I know personalities are involved, but in the spirit of the holidays, it’s really time to take a deep breath, and let go of the grudges. Ready? Ahhhhhhhhhh. Can you say Merry Christmas without choking? No? Try it again. I have no intention of treating you with anything less than respect, and I expect the same from you with regard to both my husband and I. And you aren’t going to be able to do it while you’re strangling on your own bile.
Wow, I feel better already.
Anyway, back to my woe is me…..work has been incredibly busy last week and this, and will be again next week. This is the time of year when managers look at their yearly goals and realize that one of them was to get some projects completed. And there’s still 20 minutes before the Christmas holidays! We can do it!
But in much happier news, my friends Art & Eva had their baby, Mina on Dec 4. I think Mina will be a perfect match for Sean & Marilyn’s handsome little boy born Nov 20 (rubs hands together in matchmaking glee).
And in other happy news - Angie is coming to visit this weekend. Sweet!
In unhappy news – DEAR LORD THE HOUSE IS A WRECK! THE DOGS NEED TO BE WALKED! I DON’T HAVE MY MIL’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT! I HAVEN’T SENT OUT CHRISTMAS CARDS!
AARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Time to open a bottle of wine and get crackin’!
Labels: Seasons
Grinding my Teeth
Sigh, and so the Christmas wars go on.
Seattle airport took down their Christmas trees because a Rabbi threatened to sue if they didn’t put a menorah up. Rather than bow to ANY holiday, and future other lawsuits, they took everything down.
People behaving poorly here:
1. Dude who sued to make what is basically a secular holiday, expand to include everyone’s holiday of choice
2. Seattle airport admin who basically exhibited a fit of pique
3. The lawyer who said they were afraid that this would make the Jews look like a grinch. Well duh. They called a lawyer to dispute a frickin' decoration in a frickin' airport. If they don't want to look like a grinch, maybe it's time to call a PR dude. The lawyer isn't cutting it.
Look…. If I wish you a Merry Christmas, this is not an assault on your right to believe in Earth Mother, God, Buddha, Moses, or the healing power of beer. This is me, from my culture, wishing you the joy of a holiday that’s very special to me. I do want you to be happy, and for there to be peace on earth. If you wish me a happy Hanukah, I don’t feel the urge to call a lawyer. If you want me to wallow in your Ramadan sorrow, er, ok. Wish me happy festivus, and I won't remind you that Seinfeld finished it's run YEARS ago, but accept your good wishes with a cheerful wave.
The sad reality is this kind of stuff is only an issue because people are bound and determined to feel victimized. And sometimes I sympathize, this is not a great time in our country's history to be a Christian, either. But if you feel offended that a Christmas tree is in an airport, I’ll understand that you need me to change my “Merry Christmas” to something else.
Get.Over.It, everyone! And a Happy New Year!
Labels: Seasons
Good Grief
Poor Fredly-medley, winter is not coming easily to him so far. For one thing, when we had to take him to the vet for the cyst on his side, they shave him down. We call it the $300 haircut. The temps have been...brisk. The last few days were around 20 degrees, but today we were at 14 degrees. I've started putting one of Chris's cycling vests on him to try to give that big shaved spot
some coverage. Poor guy, neither of us ever thought it would come to him having to wear cute little outfits. Hopefully this is a short term issue.
The other danger of winter for the big lug is salt. He has horrible problems with rock salt in his paws. Once that happens, he stands still with one paw lifted as high as he can get it. This morning I brushed the rock salt out of his right front paw. Then he lifted his right rear paw. Then his left front. I just called it a day. Ginger had relieved herself, and none of us were having any fun. We opted to go home and eat instead.
Anybody south of the Mason-Dixon want to hire a bike mechanic and an IT project management type? I'm not sure I can stand 4 more months of this.
Labels: Dogs, Seasons
Holiday Party Excuse Generator
Finally, you don't have to make up your own excuses for skipping holiday parties.
This Generator does it for you.
Labels: Seasons
How lucky do I feel?
My parents were only without power from the winter storms that hit St Louis on Thursday for a day and a half. And they could afford to buy a generator. This is the third time this year they've lost power for more than a day. This is probably a good investment. But CNN is reporting that this morning,
195,000 people are still without power 6 days later. Temperatures have been peaking around 20 for the last few days.
We're very, very lucky.
Labels: Seasons
Let it Snow
This morning I was walking the dogs through the first noticeable snow of the year. There still won't be accumulation, but there were little traces of snow caught in the cracks and blowing in waves across the street. When I looked up into a street light, big fluffy Christmas snowflakes are falling to the ground. And because it's 25 degrees, I've got the place to myself. Ahhh, this is perfect this time of year. Talk to me in January when all I want is to move to the Sahara. But for now, this is the season.
Yesterday was Chris's first day without the bike shop, and from a totally selfish point of view, I could live with that. Ask me after the paycheck time comes and goes, but Chris spent the day working on coaching, taking the dogs to the park, and doing a bit of cleaning. I got home to the dogs sacked out instead of the frantic scramble to get the puppy out to potty, snuggle with Fred, walk the dogs long enough to burn off the steam from the day. This morning I "short-blocked" the dogs, which means about 15 minutes in the cold instead of 45. And when I got home, Chris was home and relaxed, as opposed to getting home at 8:30, shovelling food down our throats , and giving the dogs their second walk before we go to bed. It's not a permanent way of life, but ya know, it's not a bad way of life.
PS: Ginger is now officially tipping the scales at 33lbs. So she's gained 8lbs in the last 5 weeks. I keep looking at her to see if she's going to be a Great Dane mix after all.
Labels: Love of My Life, Seasons
Just a teensy bit more decorating
The rest of the building is steadfastly ignoring Christmas, wallowing in their beige funk. Not the row of cubicles I sit in. It looks like Christmas threw up here. One of my co-workers drove 140 miles round trip to come in this weekend and get crackin' on the cubicle.
This is the wall next to my cubicle. Positively demure with only some icicle lights to make things all puuuuurty. Very tasteful. Alas you can't see my Christmas tree, probably lost in the glow of the plastic Santa.
Working the twin Santas, and a little Christmas tree.
As you can see, the carpets, walls, and cubicle walls? Grey, beige, and more beige. All of this Christmas tackiness is a welcome relief.
Labels: Seasons
Griswold School of Decorating
I was going to post a rant about the poor driving around here, but instead...
I came in this morning and we started work on the masterpiece - Decoration through Illumination as my co-worker calls it. And we've only just begun. I still have icicle lights to bring in. One of my co-workers has a partially decorated cubicle wall she's in charge of, to up the ante. Another is cackling with glee, but we don't know why....
Labels: Seasons
