Slacking

Why is it I make such high goals for myself to complete on my days off of work and when the time comes I do absolutely nothing? I had such high hopes for this weekend but I ended up doing nothing. No laundry, No dishes, No cleaning of any kind. I had goals to finish a couple of projects – nope those did not get finished either. I didn’t even turn on my computer the entire weekend until 11pm on Sunday night and that was just to download email.

I don’t know why I don’t feel like doing anything. Then I feel guilty because I don’t do anything. In my mind I guess I just cannot win. I had been blaming it all on the heat. I never go outside. I stay inside and still don’t do anything. It is hot inside but not as bad as outdoors. If the weather channel says 30% of rain……..is that good? Does that mean there is 70% chance it will rain? Or does it mean there is a 70% it will NOT rain? I am not good at those weather percentages. We don’t have need for them all that often. LOL!

This weekend was NOT a chick flick weekend. So that hubby would not complain I made sure that the next few movies we received from Netflix are strictly horror films. This weekend we watched Cursed and Darkness. Hubby saw Cursed in the theatre and said he did not like it. He said that the unrated version we saw this weekend was much better. I thought it was an okay movie. Kind of predictable. I have a problem with Christina Ricci's super duper round head. As for Darkness…..this movie was a bit predictable as well. Since I am personally afraid of the dark I don’t like movies that have things hiding in the dark. LOL! The movie must not have been that bad as I did not have any nightmares over it.

As for some chick content……Last week I was able to watch Diary of a Mad Black Woman. I loved that movie! It really touched me and very few movies really do. This weekend I was also able to finish reading Safe Harbor by Luanne Rice. Very nice book. I just discovered this author and this is only the 2nd book of hers that I have read, but I am planning on reading them all. For now my next book to read is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I am thinking I should take lunch now so I can get started. :-)

Is it just me or does the new Blogger images suck? I have only been successfull twice in uploading photos this way. I am sure I have already used up my bandwidth just trying to get photos to post. :-( It either gives an error or tells me it is succesful but there is never a photo in the post. As usual Blogger says there is no problem. I guess I cannot complain if it is free, however it would be nice if it worked properly.

Am I weird?

Please tell me if I am the only one that is like this. When I buy something new, it takes me forever to use it. I am especially this way with clothes. I will buy or get something new and it will sit in my closet waiting for a special occasion. I also do this with candles. Heck! I do it with most things. Is that weird?

I think my time on vacation has ruined me for work. I just cannot get into the grove. Maybe I should have come back to work slowly and started out with just half-days. :-)

Maybe I feel this way because it is just too darn hot outside!!! At least it is cooler here at work than back at home! Don't let the hint of scattered showers make you think it will actually rain. I think that is just a hoax so that we don't get too bothered about the heat. The weathermen like to keep us hoping for rain. Heck! Today is the 31st straight day of temps over 100 degrees!

Last night B fell asleep at 7 o'clock so I got the television all to myself. I was able to watch the 2nd disk of season 1 of The 4400. I think I am liking this show and have been catching the 2nd season episodes on Sunday nights. I find it weird that the entire first season only has 5 episodes. Talk about a short season. I am interested in seeing where this series goes.

Some days...

Some days I wish I led the life of a cat.

No worries and I would get to sleep all day. My life would be much simpler that is for sure.

I am most definitely not in the mood to work today, but am I ever? I guess I am just not in a very happy mood and that is really not like me. I just feel like griping today.

It is lunch time and I am hungry. I am on a diet and cannot eat. What I can eat is just too sweet for my taste buds today but I am still eating it. I guess that diet Dr. Pepper this morning was not too bright of an idea. I am thinking that is why I am craving 'real' food. It is my own fault really as I only brought fruit for my snacks today. I am sure as the day goes on I will start to feel okay.

Last night I watched Jersey Girl (the new one w/Ben Affleck). This has been on my list to rent for so long but since it is a chick flick it kept getting put at the bottom of the list. B went out last night so I got to stay in and watch it. I thought it was a good movie even though I would have liked a little more. I think this is one of the first movies that I got in the mail, watched that night and returned the next day (today). Now the next on the list is a horror for B so he does not complain about the chick flicks and the television series disks (The 4400 & Scrubs) I have been watching lately. Now when I say lately, I don't mean recently. I could rent a chick flick months ago and that would still be too soon and too many for B. Men! Sheesh!

Not so new anymore

My car is no longer new. :-(

My Honda may be a 2000 but it was in perfect condition and new to me when I bought it last year. It is no longer perfect. :-(

B was pulling into a friends house the other day and another friend's wife was backing out. B stopped the car while still in the street and honked his horn. He says she did not even apply the breaks and did not look in her rearview mirror. She was peeling out and going the wrong way. I won't even go into the fact that she had a young child in the car with her. B said she just slammed into the car - that is what stopped her. We are very lucky that the only damage was the bumper and small dents above the wheel. So far the estimates are coming to $750.00.

Of course this had to happen on Sunday AFTER my week of vacation. So now, if we want to get it fixed I have to somehow get more time off of work. I have the hours available, it is just convincing my manager to let me take the time.

I have only been at work a little over 3 hours and I am already ready to go back home. I am so slow starting today and cannot get into my groove.

(click to see a larger pic)

Sorry

It appears that Photobucket (where I host my background images etc) is temporarily down this evening. I am sorry if you stop by my blog and find it to be more boring than usual. LOL! It sure is blah without all the color.

Should I worry?

I have a counter on my blog that tells me where people came from to visit my blog. I have had a lot of hits (from Europe mostly) to a photo I have of the twins. It is from a google image search and there are many visits in a day. Should I be concerned? These are photos of babies and since I posted them with Blogger I cannot delete them from the Internet. The people that come to my site via this photo do not stay any longer than a few seconds. There are a couple that seem to come all the time and at first I wondered if they were just using the google search to sort of bookmark my page but that is the only page (the archive page with the picture) that my counter shows as being visited.

Any ideas on what I should do? Am I just being paranoid?

If you are visiting via this photo please leave a comment and let me know.

Bummer!

B and I have lived in our apartment for over 5 years now. We have been lucky to not have anyone live in the adjoining apartment for 4 of those years. Well.....it is all over now. Someone just drove over the curb and thru the complex and parked in front of the door by ours and they are MOVING in! Well so much for the peace and quiet.

I normally would not be too concerned but there has been a really bad element of people that have been moving into this complex recently. I remember when we first moved in and were told they did not run specials because specials (free rent, reduced rent) brought in bad elements. Well they started with the specials and I guess the bad element is moving in. In fact I had to call the cops yesterday because some tenets decided that the street belonged to them and parked on both sides (both sides being firelanes) and cars could not get thru. This is the 3rd time this street has been blocked due to these new tenets. And to think I was the idiot that decided to renew the lease! I sure hope these newbies don't make alot of noise late at night.

I guess all in all I don't like other people knowing our comings and goings and when our apartment is empty. The picture is taken from our patio and faces the one that now has the new neighbors - that should show you how close they will be. If they are outside then can look right into our living room. Not a very good picture I know but it is all I currently have and it is a much prettier picture than a plain ole apartment picture.

A Good Friend

Who says I am not a good friend?

Short-timers

Yep. That's right. Short-timers. I got it and I got it bad! My vacation starts on Saturday and I so do not want to be here!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to make the work day go by any faster?

Me at work

LOOK!

It is me at work! (well at least I think it is me)

Why must all photos of me be of my rear? Man! I am short! No wonder people ignore me when I try to order food at the work cafeteria.

Car-pooling Shmooling! Part IV

Well this morning who should be waiting for me out by my car but carpool guy. The first comment he made was 'I sure hope your car has A/C' Well that was a big No. The A/C has gone out in the newer car and was disconnected (on purpose) in the devil car. He sort of freaked about the fact that the windows would be down and his hair would get messed up. He kept saying he was not vain but he talked about his hair (and even checked it in the mirror) multiple times during the drive.

The impression I get of him is that he likes to see what he can get from people. He found out hubby worked at a store that sold plumbing supplies. So he asked if hubby can fix his disposal. Hubby is not a plumber. He asked if I had a certain kind of software on my system and was disappointed that I did not have anything that he did not already have (namely something that was not free to download).

Today I find out if I got my new position. I am thinking that I did not as I bombed the interview. When carpool guy got out of the car his last words were 'Not to be mean but I hope you don't get the job as I don't want your schedule to change.' Nice eh?

Car-pooling Shmooling! Part III

I got to work this morning and while walking passed the smoking area I could hear that guy that I was supposed to car pool with. Since I was walking thru the parking lot I do not think he saw me. I did not even look his way. How can I tell him that I did not appreciate him blowing me off and not stumble over my words? I have such a problem knowing the right words to say until it is too late. This is the first time that I have seen him since he did not show up. I did not see or hear him (he is quite loud) at all last week.

Okay....fast forward to this afternoon. I ran into him in the break room. He asked me what happened and I told him that he stood me up! He claims he was waiting but I don't see how as the time he told me was the time I was out there. I wanted it to be over with, to end right there but I heard myself agreeing to him saying 'well tomorrow, I will be there, don't worry'. So I guess the carpooling (Stef's taxi service) is back in business. I am such a putz.

A night at the ballpark

On Friday night B and I went to the baseball game. Hubby's boss has season sky box tickets. B does not really care for sports but wanted to go and experience the skybox. I like baseball but also wanted to sit where the rich people sit. :-)

This trip to the ballpark was quite different for me. I have been many times before and I have sat in many different sections. This time we never even stepped foot on the concourse. As soon as we entered the park we took a sharp turn and went up the back stairs that took us to the skybox suites. We entered the air-conditioned room and helped ourselves to some free food. After eating we went outside to watch the game.

After the game there was a man working on breaking a world record with hitting the most golf balls in three minutes. I have never seen anyone swing their arm/shoulder so fast! It was also fireworks night and I am a sucker for fireworks. B used to set them off at the country club every 4th of July. He does not do that anymore and I really miss it. There is nothing like sitting right below a fireworks display. Just don't wear anything you would not mind getting burned. I got to play with the digital and take photos of the fireworks. I like them but I think I almost prefer my film camera for fireworks shots. I really need to get caught up on my scrapping so I can start scrapping these current pics.

Photos (clockwise): B eating (free food always takes the best); Our view of the field from the sky box; Me (gotta teach hubby to take better photos); The view of the rest of the sky boxes from our sky box.

And here are some more fireworks shots.

Is knitting a drug?

I was sent this link today and we have been having a lot of fun with it at work. I did a search for my website and I think the results are the funniest thing! I guess knitting is just another word for Drug Deala! LOL! (click on the photos to make them bigger)

Okay! I was just sent this other link. You too can translate into Redneck, Engrish, Pirate, PigLatin and Jessica! Oh! and Jacko too!

sad.....

Well....I did not get the job. My friend did so that is a good thing. He was told this afternoon and although he is not supposed to talk about it, he told me. I wish him the best. I guess it is back to the phones for me. I am expecting to be told and given my feedback tomorrow. I knew I bombed the interview. I always do. :-(


UPDATE: Okay....maybe not so sad. It appears that said friend is just getting back at me for putting a 'kick me' sign on his back yesterday (photo to come soon). Let's just hope that he is not joking about joking. :-)

Car-pooling Shmooling! Part II

All day yesterday I never saw the guy that was supposed to carpool with me. I did run into one of his supervisors who told me that he thought the guy was here but actually was supposed to have the day off. Finding out that he had planned to have the day off really bugged me as he made a big deal about the carpool (Stef's taxi service) starting on Monday.

This just added to what turned out to be a Monday. I was late to work. I had an interview (I so hate those) that I know I bombed. I had no money, no debit card so I had no breakfast or lunch. Oh wait....lunch was 2 big glasses of ice tea and a bag of microwave popcorn that I had to guard because everyone came over to eat it. Since there was no point in clocking out for an hour lunch just for a bag of popcorn, I left work early a little after 4pm.

I had wanted to stop by the new yarn store but they close at 5pm. I wanted to have money on hand first so I drove home and then back to the store. I got there about 4:45pm. I am so happy to have such a nice little store so close to my house. The owner is the nicest lady and gave me the layout of the store and some other info. The prices are what I have seen at other small shops but the sticker shock still gets to me. I did not have any of my patterns so I just looked around. I was excited to see some of these yarns as I had only seen them online. It was nice to see them in person.

I had planned to come straight back home but B wanted beer so off to the grocery store I went. It was hot!!! Our Honda had the air go out so I was driving around with the windows down and wearing my interview clothes. By the time I got home I was dying and had to jump into the shower to cool off. We had a nice quiet night watching Hell's Kitchen. Since B used to be a chef he is really into watching this show. I think it is funny and cute that he has a show that he wants to watch regularly. He gave up box seats at the ball game to watch this show. Heck! Who am I kidding the guy hates sports so giving up the box seats was no big deal. *Ü*

And now on to part II of my carpooling (Stef's taxi service) story (it is about time right?).....

This morning I waited in my car until 7:40. The guy did not show up. I left. If I do see him today I will tell him that this is just not going to work out. I will try not to be my usual self and stress about it.

Thank you to all that commented on my previous post.

Car-pooling Shmooling!

I don't carpool to my job. It is so far away and my hours are different each day that it is difficult to plan. I am one that likes to be able to do my grocery shopping on the way home or stop off somewhere. I would not be able to do that if I carpooled. Heck! I just like being alone in the car before and after work. It is my time to unwind. When B and I only had one car I hated having to have him drive me. I use my drive time to unwind after work so I don't lose it when I get home. With B in the car - I never got to unwind. He hates rush hour traffic with a passion and the ride home was always more stressful to me than a whole day at work.

About a month ago as I was getting out of my car at home, there was a guy I had just met the week before at work. He was a newer employee in a different department. I saw him again when he moved into the complex this month. He was outside smoking at work one morning when I came in and asked what time I got to work. I told him 8-ish. His shift started at 8:30. He was currently catching the bus at 5:30am. He said it would be good if we carpooled. I thought about it and since I am not on the phones and do not have a set schedule (one day I leave at 7pm the other I leave at 3pm) and told him that it would not work for the evening but maybe the mornings. Every time I saw him he brought up the carpooling. Each time he asked for my apartment number (he forgot it each time). He had a pool party yesterday and I talked to him then about what time I leave. Since I did not want to disturb hubby by having this guy come to the apartment and wait for me, I told him to wait out by my car. I told him I leave at 7:30/7:35am. I told him to just wait for me and I would come running out because I am usually running late. This morning I ran out to my car around 7:40. He was not in the lot. I sat in my car and waited. I then drove to the front and side parking lots but he was not there. I drove back to the parking lot I use and waited a bit. By 8:55 I had to go. So I left. I feel bad because this guy's shift starts at 8:30 and since he is on the phones they are pretty strict. But I got to work late because of this. I got here at 8:15. Granted this is not too bad for me but today my boss came in early (8am instead of 11am) to meet with me. I now have to stay late tonight to make up for this morning. I am hungry but I don't want to leave my cube in case I run into this guy and he is angry. My personality is such that I cannot handle when people are angry at me. I have an interview this morning and really don't need the stress.

So what do you think I should tell him? Should we try again tomorrow? Was I wrong in leaving without him? I don't know the rules of carpooling, so was I supposed to be late for my shift to wait for this guy?

The end of a not so busy weekend

My busy weekend starting coming to a screeching halt before meeting my sister for breakfast. As I was walking out the door I was hit with a headache. I did not know if it was because my hair was back too tight or if I was hungry. It was good meeting up with my sister even though we talked about upsetting and disturbing things. I wish my sister did not live in San Diego. I wish she was back here at home. I wish I knew how to be a big sister. Since we did not live together growing up, it is hard for me to know how and when to be the 'big' sister. I never had a sister growing up, just a brother. I met my birth family when I was 18, my sister was just 6/7 years old.

This is my sister Zandra. Isn't she pretty?

After breakfast I came straight home and passed out with some Advil. I never got to the library, I never mopped my floors and did not even make it to the new yarn store. I almost made it to the yarn store but since I was going to celebrate the twins first birthday I decided to try to get rid of the headache.

I cannot believe the twins are one year old already. I have not scrapped a single picture of them yet. I need to get busy. My brother managed to smoosh their faces in the cake to get them messy but they preferred eating the watermelon and honeydew to eating any cake. The cake was just to play with as you can see.

Anna & Ducky. Chocolate and Honeydew. YUM!

Sunday, B and I spent the afternoon together. We went to see Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I don't care what the critics say. I really liked this movie. Afterwards we went out for lunch at Applebee's. Then it was home to veg out. B played his new game and I read and napped. Can you say lazy?

I guess in the end my weekend still was kind of busy. I actually got my butt out of the house which for me seems to be rare. The older I get the more I want to just stay home.

It's the start of a busy weekend

Well it is Saturday. I am supposed to be busy today. In fact I am supposed to meet my sister for breakfast at 10am but she has not called me yet. Well I have not called her either. *Ü* In fact I am not even dressed and what am I doing on this darn computer - and blogging even! Sheesh! I am such a procrastinator!

...and now for the giant fuzz ball

This is my Homespun shawl. Finally a picture! I am almost finished with it but it is really hard to see how large it is. I am thinking I may add one more round just to be on the safe side. I started out knitting it on straight needles but switched over to circulars. I am really liking the circulars. :-)

One of my biggest fears with knitting or even crocheting a wearable is that it won't fit. Maybe that is why I have not finished it yet. There are so many patterns I want to make but they are just not my size. I need to learn how to adapt them but since I am a beginner I have not gotten that far. I think it is a good thing I took a photo of the shawl as now I can really see the pattern for myself. It actually does not look as bad as I was originally thinking it did.

Tomorrow is going to be a super busy day for me but I am hoping to visit the new yarn store in town. I went to Target and finally found a large plastic tub with a locking top for me to put my yarn into. I do not believe I have a 'stash' as I only buy yarn for specific projects. I am fearing though that I will actually see that I have more yarn than I thought.......actually fearing that hubby will see that I have more yarn than I thought!

For those of you that buy yarn - just to buy and with no particular pattern in mind. How do you know how much yarn to buy? How much do you usually buy? A couple of skeins or more? I am interested to see how others buy their yarn when they don't have a project in mind.

..and now for some yarn content

I sure have been remiss in posting my project progress. With my shoulder and all I have not been doing much on the crafting front. Tonight, while watching a not so good movie I decided to work some more on my Manly Scarf. It is coming right along. I seem to work very slowly on this scarf as I am using the metal needles and not really enjoying it (maybe that is why I only have this much progress for starting it 2 months ago). I keep freaking out that I am going to drop a stitch! I purposely did not use the flash for the photo so you could see the detail of the stitch - oh and the scarf is really straight but the picture makes it look crooked. I am making this scarf for dh but I am wondering if it is too narrow and if I will be the one ending up wearing it. Dh says he likes the width but I am just going to wait and see.

...as for my other projects. My knitted shawl is almost done. I have just about 5 rows or so but I am trying to decide if I want to add an additional round to make it wider. It is really hard to tell how big it currently is. I would take a picture but with the fuzzy yarn it just looks like a giant fuzz ball. I think for my next project I need to pick a yarn that will show off the pattern nicely. Does anyone know of any pretty shawl patterns? What I am finding so far has been limited.

Now I am ashamed to say that UFO #1 is still at the same stage it was one when I first posted about it. I just have not picked it up. I am hoping that I can work on it some this weekend.

Where is my vacation?

Potato update

My potato is having a heck of a time on his vacation. He is having so much fun! (well I like to think so - I mean I sure would if I got to go to all these places) Thanks so much for those of you that have helped send him on his way. So far he has been to:

TUCSON, AZ 85716
HONOLULU, HI 96801
CHANDLER, AZ 85226
BROOKLYN, NY 11218
CHANDLER, AZ 85226
JASPER, GA 30143
GRANVILLE, MA 01034
NORWALK, CT 06851
CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104
PHOENIX, AZ 85003
HARWICH, MA 02645
TEMPE, AZ 85282
FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11366
TURLOCK, CA 95382
CENTRALIA, WA 98531
CHANDLER, AZ 85225
TRENTON, NC 28585
HARWICH PORT, MA 02646
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35223
AVON, NY 14414
CHANDLER, AZ 85226
CHANDLER, AZ 85226
HARWICH PORT, MA 02646
DUNEDIN, FL 34698
TAMPA, FL 33612
WALLINGFORD, CT 06492
TRAVIS AFB, CA 94535
LEHIGH ACRES, FL 33971
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043
MENA, AR 71953
CHANDLER, AZ 85248
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA 95610
AUSTIN, TX 78758
TAMPA, FL 33613
NORFOLK, VA 23505
WEBSTER, FL 33597
WEST HAVEN, CT 06516
SMACKOVER, AR 71762
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
GREENWICH, CT 06830
HINESVILLE, GA 31310
ROSAMOND, CA 93560
KENT, OH 44240
TEMPE, AZ 85282
DANIELSON, CT 06239
CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017
SAN DIEGO, CA 92120
GLENDALE, CA 91206
IRWIN, PA 15642
DERRY, NH 03038
LAS VEGAS, NV 89107
TUCSON, AZ 85716
JONESBORO, IN 46938
CAMDEN, IN 46917
LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573
LEXINGTON, KY 40517
DENTON, TX 76209
GROSSE POINTE, MI 48236

What a trip! 28 more states to go. He sure does seem to like Arizona though.

I am sure he is having a much better time than my 3.5 hours at the MVD yesterday! I could not believe it took that long. I went during my lunch hour but since my manager said for me to stay I did. The way the numbers are called is weird. They are not called in order. My ticket said Express but it sure was not Express in my book! When I finally got to the window the girl told me that she couldn't give me my new plates and that my dad needed to come in. All because the address was different on the registration and my drivers license. The name was fine - just the address. I told her that she had to be kidding, that I couldn't have just spent the last 3.5 hours waiting for her to tell me NO. I told her that when I called the MVD the day before I was told what to bring. She then changed my mailing address to my parents address (which should have been on my account anyways). Then she got me new plates. Whew! When she was putting the new stickers on the plates she put them on all sloppy and then told me to take a knife and cut across the date a few times. She said that this would keep my plates from getting stolen again. I don't know why this would deter someone from stealing the plates.

So I am happy. I have my third set of plates for my car. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get to keep these plates longer than 3 months at a time.

Something's missing

Hubby calls from work to tell me that the license plate is missing from the car. A co-worker noticed the blank spot when hubby drove into the lot after his lunch. He thinks it was stolen but was going to drive around checking - just in case it fell off. I doubted it fell off as it had 2 bolts and they were both missing as well. Hubby calls the police and they told him they were not going to take a report but would call him back in 3-5 days. (now isn't it the job of the police to take a report of stolen property)?

Fast forward to that evening. We get a call from the police department (CSI Baby!). Our tags were found. Found on the back of a stolen car that is!!!! The detective then proceeds to tell us that we were not getting the plates back. They are now evidence of the crime scene and oh by the way did we want to press charges. (ummmm YeS!)

Now I have to go to MVD to get duplicate plates. I have to pay for these plates. I guess I cannot complain as having my plates stolen is much better than the entire car being taken. I also have to wash that small spot where the license sits as boy is it filthy!

The MVD by my work is closed on Mondays. I called the main number to see what I needed to bring with me to get new plates. I was told my registration and $5.00. I sure hope it is as easy as that as this is the same car that put me thru MVD hell just a couple of months ago. I have a feeling that the plates will end up being a huge problem with this car considering we are now on the 3rd set of plates and we have only owned the car for about a year and a half.

I joined the masses

I decided to go with the Google Ads ( I am such a follower). I am interested in seeing if they change with my content. I was a bit hesitant as alot of sites I visited that had these ads - only showed ads for 'surfing' (which mine will probably show now since I typed that word - LOL!) So far they have been pretty content related and show scrapbooking, knitting and crochet content. Of course I just signed up yesterday so I will have to wait and see.

LO: Girlfriends

Layout is 2 pages - 8.5 x 11

Supplies used:

* cardstock - Bazill
* frame - My Minds Eye
* tags, metal letters and paint (I painted the tags and letters using 'Celery')- Making Memories
lettering stickers
* computer font
* red brads
* red rick-rack is holiday ribbon I bought at Target

My potato is baked!

Please send my potato on a vacation. It is getting too hot over here!

(click here)

Busier than Grand Central

Hubby does not like to talk on the phone. He never has. Sometimes when I call home he is irritated when he answers. He always tells me the phone is ringing off the hook. I have always kind of thought that this was just him complaining as he is upset that he had to stop what he was doing to answer the phone and the caller just happened to be me. Ya know.....making it up.

Well I no longer think he is making this up. I so totally understand what he means. Yesterday I stayed home while Hubby went to work. I just happened to have the phone upstairs with me since I called into work. It was a good thing I did or else I would have been more upset having to go up and down the stairs. We used to have an answering machine but it broke. We do not have caller ID (except on my cell phone).

I think it all started around 7:30am. I was reading and the phone rings.

"Please hold for a very important message...."
"ummmm no."

I hung up the phone and wanted to keep it off the hook but that dumb computer kept my phone line open so I could not even call out. The phone then rang again. I did not answer it.

The phone finally stopped ringing after 12 times (am I the only one that counts the rings). I settled myself back to reading. I was drifting off a bit when the darn phone rang yet again. I again did not answer it (I did manage to jerk my shoulder as I sat up, startled). I ran to the computer to turn on the computer answering machine but the caller hung up before the machine picked up the call.

That darn phone just would not stop ringing. I took downstairs so it did not bother me too much but I sure wish it had the option to turn off the ringer. I did not want to unplug it from the wall like hubby does - cause who knows....what if I had to answer it.

Here is what I had to deal with all afternoon:

2:21 - Hubby's friend from out of town saying he was in town (he is moving back)
2:22 - Hubby's friend calling back to give cell phone # and again to say he was in town
2:30 - Hubby calling to see if I was home (Oops. I missed this call and did not see it until after 3pm)
3:00 - "please hold for a very important message"
4:00 - Hi. Hubby's friend again. Just want to make sure you know I am in town.
5:00 - Hang up (what my answering machine message is not good enough for you?)
6:44 - Hubby's friend again. Just wanted to let you know I was here. Call me .......this one I answered. I then reminded him that hubby works and would call him as soon as he got home.

At around 7pm hubby got home and I let him deal with answering the phone (as it is never for me anyways).

The darn thing exploded

I have been hanging out on Blog Explosion a bit too much lately. I put my blog on the BlogRocket and I don't know why that excites me. LOL! Many times during the day, last week I would keep putting my blog back on the Rocket. I even broke my own rule. One thing that bugs me about surfing the different blogs is that some are rarely updated and yet I end up seeing them many times a day (yep I log on at home too). I always told myself that I would never go to Blog Explosion or read any other of my daily blogs I read unless I update my site first. Well......I admit I have not done that. I have put my darn blog on the Blog Rocket many times and I have not updated since last week. How embarrassing. Why did I do it? Was it the excitement of seeing my blog move up the list? No I think it was for the people who visited. It was exciting to see how many people would visit each time I posted my blog. Now granted, I probably got the clicks because there was the reward of maybe winning some mystery credits. C'mon! I know that is it right? Now I have discovered something else on Blog Explosion. It is the Battle of the Blogs. It is a good thing that I don't have enough credits to enter as I am sure my ego could not handle the rejection of losing. Oh who I am I kidding? Even losing I would find myself entering over and over. Darn it! I have better things to do than to spend my day on Blog Explosion. Don't I?

Ouch!

I am in pain. Growing older I have experienced little aches and pains. I understand they come with life and they do not bother me. When I was younger it was determined that I have a problem with my ankles. It got me out of gym from 8th grade until graduation. Even though I was not supposed to I still took the dance classes. I was used to my ankles twisting on a daily basis. I still am used to it. Just walking can cause my ankle to turn and I end up limping for awhile. Since this has always happened to me I have learned to live with it. Plus it gives me a valid excuse to sit on my butt. :-)

The pain I am now experiencing is one that is new and very painful. For the past few weeks I would have pain when moving my right arm. The pain is in the front of the shoulder (some say rotator cuff?). It would hurt only when I moved my arm and when I did not move my arm but moved my head to the left (like to look over my shoulder when driving). It was just a inconvenience. So I did not do much crafting (well I admit to knitting last night - I hope that is not what caused this). I have not done much cleaning (and my house looks terrible). I figured I could live with the pain until it went away. Well, now I have decided I cannot live with it. Now my shoulder hurts whether I move it or not! It is a constant pain and hurts even more when I DO move my shoulder. This sucks as now I can barely work. I work on the computer all day. Just typing this post is killing me. Everyone I have spoken to have said that the only way for a torn rotator cuff to heal is to NOT use it. I don't know if I have a torn rotator cuff but how does one NOT use their arm/shoulder? I never realized how much I used my shoulder until now.

Anyone ever have this problem? Any ideas on how to make the pain go away?

Hmmmm. Makes you think.

If my weather pixie is down to a bathing suit at 100 degrees what will she be wearing if it gets any hotter?

Hidden Camera Dancing

This video had me cracking up big time!!!

Hidden Camera Dancing

Don't you feel like grooving right along?

Can you say hot?

This past weekend was terrible!!!! I would think that since I was born here that I would be used to the heat but I do not remember it being this bad when I was a child. It is not even a slight daily increase in the temperature. One day it could be 80 degrees and then Bang! Over 100! We broke tons of records with the heat this weekend.

Broken Records:

Previous: May 21, 1914: 105 degrees.

New: May 21, 2005: 107 degrees.

Previous: May 22, 2000: 105 degrees.

New: May 22, 2005: 109 degrees.

Forecast

Today: Sunny, high around 105 to 110 degrees.

Tonight: Clear, lows from around 69 to 74 degrees.

Tuesday: Sunny, highs around 102 to 107 degrees.


On Saturday it was just me (Yes! I am loving this hubby working on my day off). I slept in for a little bit and then headed out to run some errands. Leave it to me to leave the house at 1PM (the hottest part of the day) and drive around in my un-air-conditioned car. I had the evil car and due to the fact that the A/C likes to break the alternator and the fact that my hubby does not trust me to NOT turn the darn thing on - he had the A/C disconnected. I was out only a little over an hour but that was enough for me.

On Sunday B and I went to see the first showing of Revenge of the Sith. A lot of people sure do get up early to see a movie. B and I also go to the first show of the day and we were surprised to see how many people were there. Of course that did not compare to the huge line that was waiting outside the theatre when we left. After cooling off a bit at home we took a drive to look at new places to rent. It was after 5pm but it was still too hot. Our new car's A/C is not working for some reason. I have found out that I am not good in the heat. B looked perfect. Myself, not so much. My face was RED! I looked like I was ready to pass out and I was the one drinking the water. Since it is supposed to be 110 degrees today I sure do hope it cools off a bit before I have to leave work for home.

.....now I know you did not stop by to read up on the weather. As for crafty things......I did nothing all weekend. It was too darn HOT!

Speaking of Darth Tater.......

I came across this funny (Store Wars) yesterday courtesy of Alannah (go check out her site - she does fantastic layouts). Be prepared, it is a long one. Someone sure had a lot of time to put this movie together. Darth Tater, Obi-Wan Cannoli, Chewbroccolli! Gotta love it!


There is a department here at work that is closing early this afternoon and taking everyone to see the show (Revenge of the Sith that is). Obviously it is NOT my department. Hmmmmmmmmm. I wonder when I will get to see the actual movie? Maybe Sunday. Have you all seen it already?

May the Spud be with you

I think I want one.

Morning shocker!

Walking down the stairs this morning to leave for work I was shocked at what I saw. Hubby had filled his water jug and was in the process of putting it in the fridge. So there is sits. In the fridge. Now the super shocker will be if he actually drinks it!

Well......I am off to do some chugging of my own......

Is it time to go home yet?

Do you ever have those days where the day just drags? Well I sure everyone does at one time or another. Today is one of those days. I sure do get them alot.

I have finished my first jug of water and have started on my second. If only the restrooms were not so far away in this building, not only because they are so darn far away but because everyone wants to talk while I am walking to them. Can't they see I am on a mission?

I do not know what to do tonight as Amazing Race is over. Maybe I can finally attend the stitch-n-bitch. It is held on Tuesdays nights. See I even found a cool new knitting icon I am almost finished with my knitted shawl. I only have one more round to go. I am trying to debate on whether I need to add an extra round. It is hard to tell what the size is as I cannot lay out the shawl to check. I am using the circulars now so I do have a much better idea than when I was using the straight needles. I do have a gripe about the yarn I am using. I am using Homespun for the shawl. It is such a fuzzy yarn. I have worked with it before and I am currently making a blanket with this yarn (UFO #1). The blanket looks great, the shawl does not. The shawl looks all fuzzy and to me it looks like it is sloppy. I guess I will not be using Homespun for anything other than blankets in the future (oh....except that scarf I was going to make).

Floating away...

I bought myself a 74 oz water jug. One of these (full of water) a day is what I need. I already run to the restroom too much. Now I just know that I will be running to the restroom all the time now. Just something else to be teased about at work. I mean when I have guys coming up to me to settle the debate question of 'why do women have to go to the bathroom so much'. You gotta see I have a fun time with these guys.

I bought one for B too. He can go days without water. I told him that he needed to drink one jug a day. I also told him that he must fill it with WATER only and nothing else. The look on his face was priceless. I doubt he will use it that often.

Well...... the jug is more than halfway empty......I'll be right back.

Freaky

Sometimes while searching the web (say using Google for instance) I will select the images option. I have been lucky to find some online pictures of my friends this way. It is really weird when it happens to you though. Sometimes people get to my site by the photos that are found thru Google images or photobucket images. The results have not been very exciting pictures (like my first attempt at knitting). However this past week someone came to my blog via Google images and it was by searching for the name of the photo. This particular photo was taken by a co-worker and I just uploaded the photo using the name he saved it under (Steph1). It is weird to see my own face looking back at me from search page #3 (and it is not even a good picture).

What determines if a photos if found by a search engine or not? Not all of my photos are found if I search on the name.

Well.....I have a feeling that I may be renaming my photos to just numbers in the future. It is just too freaky.

Are Pigs Flying?

I think either Hell has frozen over or Pigs are flying! A few times during the year (usually after busy season or a catastrophe), a couple of managers will walk around thanking everyone for the work they have done. Sometimes they give you a memento to show their Thanks; usually it is not worth much. During the years I have worked at my current job I have been given juggling balls, Squish balls, water balls (you soak them in water before throwing), a yo-yo (it was supposed to light up), a plastic calculator (did not work) and yadda yadda yadda……. Well, I could go on and on but I don't want to bore you. Basically we got items you can buy cheap and in large amounts. Each year, the Thank You's have been fewer and further between. Well today made up for ALL of those previously crappy toys.

Today I was given one of these……

Yep! That is an iPod Shuffle!! And it is all mine!!!! I cannot wait to use it. I was so excited when I opened it. I had to beg a couple of co-workers to open their box (they came in a brown shipping box). People thought it was just another lame toy. I would have never have purchased one of these on my own. Of course, now I have to buy a new computer as it only works on Windows XP….and do I have Windows XP? NOPE!!!

Well I can tell you all that it sure does look real purty sitting in its box.

WHOO HOO!!!!

What can I say? All is right in the world of reality T.V.!!!!!!!

Closed

Due to the season finale of Amazing Race this blog will be closed until tomorrow.
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GO UCHENNA AND JOYCE!!!!!!!!!!!

DOWN WITH ROB AND AMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I still be in the club?

I have a confession to make. I did nothing scrapbook related on National Scrapbook Day. Also, I did nothing scrapbook related the day before NSD or the day after. Should I go to time out?


.....I am so lame. :-(

Time sure flies

I cannot believe how fast the weekend flies by when all a person does is sleep. Just like when I was little and on a car trip. My mom would always tell me "take a nap and we will be closer to getting there'. I always thought it was because she wanted my brother and I to stop bugging them. :-) I have not been online or anywhere away from home really since Thursday of last week. I called in sick on Friday and slept most of the day away. Saturday I had to myself and again I found myself sleeping. Today I just slept in as I usually do on a Sunday but did not the entire day. Maybe because B was here. Well I know it was because of him being home that I did not sleep away the day. He would kill me if he knew that I did that. I don't know why there are days when all I would rather do is sleep. I guess sometimes the dreams are so much better than the real thing.

I did manage to get out of the house today. B and I went grocery shopping. We so did not plan this shopping trip and did spend a ton. It was nice though as we have not been shopping in quite a long time and needed everything. I am surprised that we did not buy any junk food except potato chips for our lunches. Oh and yes......a box of bullet pops. B went to see his Mom for Mother's day and I went to visit mine. Since B's parents moved so far out of town, it is not as convenient to just stop by and visit. I lucked out that my brother also stopped by while I was visiting my Mom. It was good to see the babies. The twins are sick and one has pneumonia (thanks to the doctor that said it was only a cold and nothing more). Thanks to the doctor's assistant who insisted there was something on the x-rays and found the pneumonia. I don't know how my sister-in-law does it. She sure does have her hands full.

As for reading, I hope to get back in the mood as I have tons of books checked out from the library. I just finished reading SecondHand Bride by Linda Lael Miller. This was the last in a trilogy. I really enjoyed the series and have checked out some other books by this author. I really like stories of pioneer women. I did luck out and got one of the first copies of Full Bloom by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. I started this book yesterday and so far so good. Since this book is so popular I need to read it now as I will not be able to re-check it out for quite awhile (already 50 people have it reserved). I am just a few pages into the book and in typical Janet style I am laughing already. If it wasn't for B already being in bed I would be off this computer and reading it right now!

I so need to change my life...

I so do not want to be at work today. I think I have Spring Fever. Maybe I am just bored? I actually have a lot to do in my last 2 hours and I just don't want to do it. I am honestly thinking I would like to telecommute to work. There is a position for that available but I would be back to calling customers. But I would be home and could do that in my underwear if I wanted to. LOL! I think though that I would miss being around my co-workers. What would I have to talk about if all I did was stay at home on the computer all day long?

One of the main reasons that is keeping me from having a child is my job. My job is not kid friendly. I would stress way to much if my child were sick and I had to decide on staying home or getting fired. I am thinking if I worked from home I could start thinking of having a baby before it got too late. The majority of the people that telecommute in this position are SAHM's. Sounds like a good idea to me. Plus I would be sent out of state to train and be treated like a human being as this stay-at-home department is headed by the main CFO and has a larger budget. I have been talking with a co-worker that currently has this position. She stopped by work today and has given me a lot of good information on the position.

Do any of you telecommute to work? What do you find are the Pro's and Con's?

Blogging scrappers

Ever since I started my blog I searched for other scrapbookers out there who blogged. It is exciting to see more and more scrappers out there starting new blogs. I especially like it when they post their layouts. I have been part of many online message boards and layouts galleries like Scrapjazz and 2peas but with so many layouts posted I usually don't pay as close attention as when I have just one layout in front of me. I also find the personalization of the entries more interesting to me than just reading the message boards.

Oh Scrap!

My layouts are extremely simple (when I find the time to scrap that is). I really admire those that can make awesome layouts, such as this ONE I came across today. I love how it all fits together and how the letter overlaps the photo. Why am I so chicken to try that? And why if I were to try it - would I feel it not look as good?

Then there is my friend LAURA. She was pregnant with triplets and still found time to scrap! She has now had her triplets and she still finds time to scrap (oh and she is doing a separate album for each child!). It is just me, B and the 2 cats and I don't know if I will ever find the time to scrap and I am just working on our own album! LOL!

Thieves

Why is it when kids get caught in a lie they get all defensive and then keep glancing at you with daggers in their eyes?

I had meant to write last week about a young boy who came to my door and asked me if there was any garbage he could take out for .50 cents. Not having .50 cents I told him 'No'. Fast forward to the next week. Same little boy pounding on my door. This time he asked if there was any garbage he could take out for $1.00. Having actually no garbage this time. I again said 'No'. Now talk about a raise. I would love to have a raise of .50 cents from one week to another. :-)

Fast forward to Saturday. I watched as my neighbor walked by my window on her way to walk her dog. When she came back 2 little boys (not the one that has been coming to my door) were following her. I saw she gave them a bag of garbage which they promptly threw over the fence and took off with the money.

I went to my neighbor and told her what happened. She was not too happy and since you can be fined for 'wildcat dumping' I am sure she will not like it if she has a fine due to this bag being thrown on private property (it is fenced and we cannot get to it).

As I was getting my mail I happened to have these two little boys walk by me counting their money. I asked the one who I saw throw the bag over the fence if he was throwing garbage bags over the fence. Instead of asking me what I was talking about he said 'No. No I didn't. Not me!' (Yeah sure!) I told him that I saw him do it and he shut up really quick. As I was walking back to my apartment both boys kept stealing glances at me. In fact as I watched them walk thru the parking lot they kept looking at me like suspiciously. The youngest one even peaked around the dumpster at me (LOL!) I guess they thought I was going to run after them. I guess they thought that since the majority of the apartments in the back are empty that no one would see them throw the garbage over the fence.

I have since found garbage bags in front of the empty apartment next door (nasty ones too) and stashed by other buildings around the complex.

I cannot stand thieving liars. These little boys are not even in their teens. I would say their ages are 8 and 10. I just feel bad for the original little boy that was taking out garbage for money as he has nothing to do with these two little boys. I never even imagined that they would dump the garbage and take off with the money. I think that if they come to my door I will tell them either 'No' (and a few other things)or tell them they have to take the garbage to the dumpster first (while I watch) and then they can get their money. I am hesitant to say anything though as I don't trust these kids not to damage my property as they have already shown to be heading the way of the delinquent. Sad thing is.....their mom probably does not even care!

My brother and I would never have even thought to do something like this (my mom would have killed us). My nephews are even above doing this (my mom would kill them too!). I guess I just expect other kids to be as honest as my family is honest. Of course I don't know why I feel that way. That must be a sign that I am getting old.

UFO #1

I have joined the UFO CAL at Crochetville. It is about time that I finished all of these unfinished objects (UFO's).

My first UFO is an afghan that I was making strictly for US. I think I have found the pattern and now I just need to find my hook! The pattern is worked using two strands of yarn at a time. I have just the skeins showing in the picture to go and then this blanket is finished. I made one for my mom a few years ago for Christmas and I would have been done with ours back then too but I wanted ours to be a bit longer so I still have these two skeins to go. I know the afghan just blends right into my comforter in these pictures but I don't have anything light to put it on.

I don't know why I never finished it. I think one reason may be that it looks all nice and new in the plastic bag it sits in and once I am finished with it – it will be covered in cat hair (do you notice Cleo looking on). Also, I think since B wants something he can cover the sofa with he will be disappointed as this afghan is more lap sized and will probably not cover a person completely. It will be nice to finish though and I hope to maybe finish it tonight while watching T.V.

LO: Yum....

Page is 8.5 x 11

Supplies used:

Cardstock is Bazzill
Font and letter stickers are David Walker
Chalk
Buttons are Making Memories (I think)
Tomato I made myself

Something new to play with

See this? This is my new toy.

Just what I needed. Something else to use as a sig line. I don’t know why little things like this excite me. What can I say. Deep down I am just a nerd! :-)

If you want one too just go to Feedburner.


Let me start by saying that B and I are not fans of American Idol. When the show first started B used to work nights and I would only watch the audition shows. Well now that B is home at night, he has caught a few episodes here and there of this season’s show. Since my hubby is a rocker himself, he was excited to see someone like Constantine on the show. This morning as I am getting ready for work, B was downstairs watching the news. I heard enough to know that the topic was American Idol. I could not hear anything else but I knew exactly what happened when I heard a loud ‘what the F?’ coming from downstairs. LOL! Well I guess he won’t be so interested in watching the show anymore.

Strictly Scrapbooking

What size pages do you scrap?

small~ medium~ large

What kind of albums do you use?

Post Bound ~ 3-ring ~ strap hinge

Do you prefer textured cardstock or plain?

Lumpy or flat?


I mainly scrap 8.5 x 11 unless the photos are from a vacation trip. All vacations go in their own 12x12 album (or they will if I ever get to scrapping them). I did a 5x7 gift album once for my sister.

I use Dalee post bound albums.

I prefer to use textured cardstock (Bazzill all the way Baby!)It feels weird if I have to use smooth cardstock and I find that I rarely use it. Which is sad as I do have a stockpile of cardstock (smooth and textured) and the smooth stuff is not going anywhere.

Yeah I am lumpy (Hey! We are talking about scrap pages here!)But I would say I was a mid-weight lumpy scrapper as I don't like my pages too heavy.

Strictly knitting

What method of knitting do you prefer?

English or Continental?

What type of needles do you prefer to use?

Straight or Circular?

What kind of needles to you use?

Metal or Plastic or Wooden?

For me I guess I use the English method as I hold the yarn in my right hand. I would have though that since I learned to crochet first that I would prefer to hold the yarn in my left hand but I have never seen it done in person (yet) and I don't think my tension would be quite right. I have read though that the Continental method of knitting is much faster. I would love to be a fast knitter!

I have only used straight needles but at the suggestion of some local snb'er I bought a set of circulars this past weekend. I moved my shawl onto the circulars and I am liking that my shawl actually looks like something instead of just a lump of fiber. I can definitely see that I will have to make my shawl much larger than the pattern states. They do take some getting used to as the right needle likes to turn. I was thinking it was the plastic but the plastic is fine. I have also realized that I have a lot more leverage with the straight needles. I think I am getting the hang of using them though. I know that some people prefer to use strictly circulars when knitting. I do not know if I would be one of those knitters in the future but never say never! :-)

As for the kind of needles......I prefer the Bamboo. My first two sets (Christmas presents from dh) were metal. I thought that my inability to knit and enjoy it was due to me but I found that once I bought my first set of bamboo needles I loved knitting so much more! Yay Bamboo! So basically I am a Bamboo snob and that is what I got for my circulars as well!

LO: My Birthday 2004

Due to the issues I was having posting photos I realized that although I had links to this layout on my sidebar - I did not have an actual live link.

A very simple layout that still took me forever to do (have I mentioned before that I am the world's slowest scrapper?)

Size is 8.5 x 11

Supplies used:

Bazzill cardstock
SEI buttons (seasoned I think)
I made the tag myself and stitched on the layout using floss
Title is made with lettering stickers

Good-bye Grandma

May 25, 1912 - April 14, 2005

Today was the funeral.

This picture was taken back in 1978 or so. It is of both of my Grandmothers. My Grandmother on the right passed away when I was in high school. She was my Mom's mother and lived with us for many years while she was sick with Parkinson's. She died peacefully at home.

My Grandmother who just passed is on the right. She is my Dad's mother. She would have been 93 next month. She lived a very long life and survived two husbands and a son. Over 30 grandchildren, over 20 (I think) great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Have I mentioned before that I am from a huge family? :-) The sad thing is she had extreme Alzheimer's and did not remember us all.

The funeral was good. Well as good as a funeral can be. I was the last to arrive as I could not find a place to park. They all were waiting for me. Have I mentioned I love my family to pieces? I do not recall lots of crying and the mood was very good. I guess you could say it was a happy funeral. (Well not at the beginning as someone was vacuuming in the room next door). Our pastor spoke a short sermon. The grandsons were the pallbearers and I thought that was a very nice touch. Afterwards we all drove to the cemetery. After a short talk again by our pastor we left. I went home to change and then headed to my parents (where everything is always celebrated). Not everyone was able to go to my parents afterwards but there was still over 40 people there (minus the kids). Lots of good food and it was nice to visit. After a short time all the relatives from out of state headed home and it was just us local folks. My cousin who lives in New York City was able to make it so I had a nice time visiting with him. It has been years since I have seen him.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog about my Grandmother. That was a very kind thing for you to do. I really appreciated it.

Not posting much

Things have been busy around here this past week. Everything happened on the same day too. Friday.

My Grandmother passed away. She is the one that taught me how to crochet. I am the only one of her grandchildren that learned how. It is sad she is gone but in a way it was a blessing as she did not remember any of us. Tomorrow is her funeral.

I found out this information on Friday the 15th. Tax day. I was the only one working that day. Needless to say I was exhausted as I was doing the work of 4 people. The two guys who used to be on my team were asked to help but they ignored the email. When I was getting ready to leave - when everything was clear - one of them said he could now help out. Well hey! Where was he when I worked thru my lunch? When I worked past the end of my shift? I told him he was not needed. I know what he wanted. He is the one that will only help out on overtime. The nerve. Well....it is over and done with and I am the one that came out on top!

So today I am off of work. Tomorrow I am off of work. Wednesday I am off of work. I will see what is waiting for me on Thursday but right now I have other things to think about.

I am thinking of crocheting something small for my Grandmother's casket. A snowflake maybe? Knowing me I will make something but then be too chicken to put it in there. I am still trying to convince my husband to go. He hates going to funerals yet one of our first dates was my Grandfather's funeral so go figure out that one. He is not a big family person and I have a huge family. There will be people here from out of state and Mexico - my Grandmother's sisters. It will be good to see them as it has been years but B is not used to that. I don't expect him to be but hey! I hate going to family functions like this alone when all my cousins husbands and wives are there.

Well I am off to look at patterns to see what I can make quickly tonight. Oh and that reminds me....I need to go grocery shopping for what I am bringing tomorrow.

Snobby Scrapbookers

You may have noticed a link for a scrapping ring on my sidebar the past week and a half. It is no longer there.

For months I had been looking for other scrapbookers who blogged. There were none that I could find. I was going to start my own ring when I found out there were some recent ones already out there. I even filled out the info to join one. Well I must say I am disappointed in the snobby scrapbookers that are out there. Forgive me for not being a 2 peas snob! No where on the ring site info does it state that the person must be a friend of the ring owner or a 2 peas snob. I should have already known this. I post to 2 peas but not that often because of how rude they get on that site. I am so disappointed but I should not be surprised. I visited each of the blogs on this ring and commented on them - not a single response to my comments.

Now on the other hand I am part of a crochet ring and also a knitting ring. I must tell you that the people on these rings are the nicest people ever! I have not met online (other than an email list) a finer bunch of people. Even their message boards are the friendliest places.


Update (04/25/05): I am sorry if I appear to be the one that is being snobby. I did not mean to come off that way yet I think I did. Please ignore the above post. I was most definitely have a bad week.

Another Wednesday

Whoo hoo!!! I have received a call back for a 2nd interview for tomorrow! I am very excited about this and it is hard not to get my hopes up.

Today is going much better than it was this morning. My team now consists of just two people - Me and one other person. We are doing the work of 4 people. Because of the downsize I no longer work 4x10's and have to work on Fridays (my normal day off). Well the person working with me does not feel he has to work 5 days and has decided to not come in the past 2 Fridays. He told me he made plans again to not come in this Friday and I lost it. This Friday is the 15th. We work with Tax customers and it is going to be a busy day. I had to put my foot down. I am at my wits end with being the dumping ground for all the work around here. I am happy with what has been decided for that day. Hopefully I should not be the only one here to do the work.

Last night while watching Amazing Race I was able to work a couple of rows on the knitted shawl. I so hope this thing fits me as I am unable to tell while working on it. All the stitches are bunched up. I guess I could always add an additional round just to be on the safe side but then again I don't want it too big. The pattern is easy to follow but with all the yo's, increases and decreases the stitches get a little tight. Thank goodness for those occasional knit and purl rows!I love the softness of the Homespun yarn but I am not too happy with the way it is looking all fuzzy. I just have to remember that I am mainly making it to wear at work so I should not be too picky. I would show pictures but it just looks like a jumbled piece of fabric and who wants to see that right? Also, I am having problems posting photos to my blog at the moment.

Well you may not hear from me in awhile as I need to get my own taxes completed. Darn I sure hate that I procrastinate everything!

Yes. It is definitely Monday.

Today was going oh so well until I encountered the customer from hell. That is where she must be from as every email she has sent to me today has included this word! This customer is demanding I make personal changes to an account that she cannot verify is hers. She wants me to make the changes just because she said so. Why oh why won’t she go away? Does she not understand that legally I cannot do this? I so need some Advil. Why is it my fault she is waiting until the last minute to do her taxes?

On another note……I am still waiting to hear if I have made it to the second round of interviews. I got an email on Friday that I will find out either on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. I want to find out today! I really don’t think I made it so I want to get my feedback and get it over with.

I still need to work on my taxes. I have not even started. But I can tell you if I have a problem this week I am not going to be blaming it on anyone else!

I guess knitting got in the way this weekend, as I never turned on the computer so I would not be tempted to do my taxes. LOL! I am half-way finished with the shawl. I cannot really see how it is turning out as it is all bunched up on the needles. I sure hope it fits!

k1~p1~yo~ssk~k2tog?

Huh? Wha?? (aren't I just being clever today – LOL!) I have started on my shawl. I decided to knit instead of crochet and it is my first pattern that is not just knits and purls. So far, it does not look like anything but a big mess. Granted I am only on row 9 but heck…..the dropped stitch look with all the yo's is driving me nuts! I am sure it will look just fine if I continue at it but for now, it just looks like a big mess. I get real excited when I get to just knit a row (which is very few and far between). I think I will continue working on that today although I really should sit my butt down and start my taxes.

Visitors

I really hate when strangers use my bathroom. Especially when said strangers leave empty mini-bottles of liquor on the bathroom floor. Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Freezing in the desert

I have had it with how cold it is at work. Even though the thermostat is set to be warmer than usual - it is freezing in here! It seems to get that way when the temperature gets hotter outside. At least I am not the only one. Everyone seems to be freezing. It is going to be 90 degrees today and it is already starting to freeze up. I think I need something hot to drink.

So I decided that the fastest thing to make that would keep me warm enough to work would be a crocheted shawl (fingerless handwarmers are a close second). So after work I headed over to pick up some yarn. However I got distracted along the way (I sure hate when I do that). Since I had to be home by 7pm I needed to make my trip a quick one. However, I ended up stopping by Barnes and Noble (I think that is where I stopped) to look at knitting magazines. I was there a bit when I decided not to buy anything. Then I headed over to JoAnn's for some yarn. Unfortunately the JoAnn's I have to go to is on the FAR FAR East side as the other one does not carry much of a selection. Before going to the store I had picked out a couple of patterns (crochet and knit). I decided on a crochet pattern as I wanted to make this shawl quickly and if I knit it - I would not have it done until next winter. Since this JoAnn's is the only store in town (including Michaels) that carries wooden knitting needles, I grabbed a set. I found a few different yarns that I would like for other projects but for this basic shawl it took me forever to decide. The patterns I had called for Homespun so that is what I was going to use but the color selection was limited. I made my decision and since funds are tight - I put back the knitting needles. It was already 5 min to 7pm when I left and it takes me at least 20-25 min to get home. I had to stop at the bank on the way to make a deposit so that took some time too (especially since I had to go to multiple ATMs to find one that had deposit envelopes - darn bank!). I don't know why I am so slow when it comes to making decsions. I think I think too much.

So fast forward to home. Even though I missed the beginning I did get to see the majority of Lost ( I love that show). It pretty much turned out the way I expected. The season finale looks exciting and I am looking forward to next Wednesday night.

I started right in on the shawl using the Homespun and a size N hook. I have used the Homespun before but only with larger sized hooks. I know it is a difficult yarn to work with but Darn! I had problems right from the beginning. I could not see the stitches at all. I started over twice and then started looking for a new pattern. I am now kicking myself for not buying those size 13 knitting needles. I have to decide if I will just use a larger hook (maybe a P) or just knit the darn thing. I have decided I will make this decision on the weekend when B is at work and I have the whole place to myself.

Speaking of having the place to myself. I thought that it was kind of sad that B and I will not have a single day off at the same time but on the other hand I loved having the weekend to myself last week and I am looking forward to this week as well. Peace and Quiet here I come!

Is it Wednesday again? Already?

I cannot believe it is Wednesday already. Wasn't it just Wednesday? Even though Wednesday sneaked up on me I still feel like this week is dragging. Maybe it is the 5am wake-up time to go work out.

I am kind of lacking in the WIP department as all the projects I want to make are pretty pricey in the yarn department. In fact one outfit I want to make will cost me over $150.00. Soooooooooooooo.........at the moment I am stuck using the yarn I currently have.

So that brings me to my current WIP. The Classic Man's Scarf. B asked me how I know it is a Classic Man's Scarf and I told him, it is because the book calls it that (so take that smart alec hubby!) I checked out a bunch of pattern books from the library and this pattern was in one of them. Here is my progress so far. B says it looks poofy. (Gotta love him)

argh.....................

I sure did have a tough time waking up this morning. I don't know why as I even slept later than yesterday. I sure hope I don't have this problem tomorrow as I need to wake up and work out at 5:30am.

I know I have said it before but work is super busy. Tax day is approaching and my case load just keeps getting bigger. I think I may be staying late tonight. That is if the headache I feel coming on does not get any worse.

As for the interview yesterday. It did not go well. The interview went fine but the position is not for me. Now I am just waiting to see if I get called back on the scheduling position (which I really want) and if not then there is one more position opening in that department that I will go for.

As for Norton - did I mention they suck? As I expected I did NOT receive the callback I was promised. If they ever do decide to call me back they will definitely receive an earful!

So that's it with me. I never said my life was exciting. Although sometimes I really imagine it is. :-)

Busy Busy

Just a quick update today. I am busy busy due to tax season. I am the only person changing account information for every single department. I hope the customers are not too upset at the wait.

I was a good girl this morning and woke up early to make it to Curves at 5:30am. Yep that is AM! I am not a morning gal. Talk about surprising my mom. It is only the first day but so far, I am loving the 8-5 schedule. I have a feeling that I will need to work late each day this week but tonight is out as I have to hurry home to wait for 2nd tier support to call me for my Norton Anti-virus that is NOT working and to fix other issues with my computer caused by their terrible technical support. I will not even start to go into how long I waited or had to deal with, as I don’t want to get ticked off again today. How many times do you have to tell a person that you do NOT have Windows XP! Outsourcing sucks!

I do have another interview today so I am all gussied up! It is the first interview for the 2nd position I applied for. The weird thing is, everyone else that applied for this position have their interviews on Thursday. I am the only one that has an interview today. That really makes me nervous.

I have an announcement to make

It is official! I have completed my first knitting project. Last night I finished up the ribbed scarf. I am so proud of myself. It sure took me long enough though. I will share the finished product soon.

Last night I frogged the garter stitch scarf I was making for B. I found a different pattern that I liked better that used just one of the colors. The yarn I am using is worsted weight. I decided to use size 10 knitting needles. The only size 10's I have are metal. I am NOT liking the metal at all!!!! I used wood needles for my ribbed scarf and those are so much easier on my hands. My results using these metal needles are not making me happy. I know that since the needles are larger than what the yarn calls for the result will be more of an open weave but it is hard to keep the yarn on the darn needles. The yarn just slides all over and I am having trouble keeping my tension. I am trying to decide if I should go buy some more wooden needles or just start over using my 10.5 wooden needles. I am still also trying to decide if I want more of a solid weave or not.

Today my glasses broke so posting will be limited as I am blind as a bat. B tried to glue them together but since they are metal and very thin, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it to the eye doctor tomorrow. The bad thing is I will have to go to my interview on Monday with glue on my lens. Oh well. If they like me, they like me for me and not my glasses.