2007: A RETROSPECTIVE
Last year when I wrote my first year retrospective, I'm afraid I did myself a disservice. I summed up the entire year of 2006 as a year that sucked. Granted, a great deal of things went badly, but I somehow managed to overlook everything good that happened and dwell on all of the unfortunate things that went on. I don't want to do that this time.
I'd like to think that I've grown a bit this past year. Not only emotionally, but spiritually and mentally as well. I'm not going to say that 2007 was a perfect year, because it wasn't. However, that doesn't really bother me when I step back and look at the big picture. I've learned that if every day is perfect, then perfect becomes commonplace. If you never have sadness, you will never know happiness. So yes, a great deal of things sucked this year, but without those things, I don't think I could truly appreciate all of the good things that happened as well.
My 29th birthday came and went, still as disappointing as ever. I'm guessing a lot of my disappointment stems from the fact that I have terribly high expectations when it comes to happiness. Try as hard as I might to have fun, the highlight of my day was a Cracker Barrel hamburger and a nap. But hey, I had another birthday, the hamburger was great, and who doesn't love a mid-day nap?
For the first time in my life I traveled alone, flying from Huntsville to Miami to visit my friend in the hospital. Yes, I got trapped in the Charlotte airport for 14 hours all alone, but I learned that I am not as helpless as I once was. I not only made it to Miami successfully (if not a little later than I thought I would), but I got to visit my miracle friend and made it home all in one piece!
I graduated in May, which was fantastic, and my parents and some of my best friends in the world were there to see me get my diploma. Mom and dad were so proud of me, since I was the first person in our family to get a degree. My dad even kept the picture of him, mom and me on his desk at work, and the picture of me holding my diploma in a frame on his night stand. If nothing else in the world had happened, I'm so glad that my father got to see that and had the chance to be so proud of me.
I got to visit New Orleans, LA; Texas, Nevada, Utah and a bit of Arizona. All of these places were as hot as hades, but totally worth the sweat and fear of prehistoric plastic scorpions!
My father passed away, and try as I might, I just can't find the silver lining in that. I miss him so much every day. I hate seeing my mom so miserable and my family seems to be so lost without him sometimes. But, I honestly believe that all things happen for a reason, even if we aren't told what it is. However, when he died, I realized how many people in my life are willing to stand by me and prop me up. Friends came with food and flowers, a shoulder to cry on, a card with a note of support in it, a joke to make me laugh, and one or two of them were just there for whatever I needed. I can't even express how much all of that meant to me then, and still means to me now.
I've made some new friends and I've lost a few. I even have some friends who seem to be waiting patiently by the door holding my hat and coat, ready for me to leave, but not willing to ask me to go. Josh moved off to Colorado to become a priest and I miss him terribly. Even though I'd have him back if I could, I'm so proud he's finally found his calling. He's neither lost nor here, but I didn't know what category to put him in.
I have had to face the fact that some things are just out of my hands. No matter how much I want something to happen, or don't want it to, there are just some things that I can't do anything about. I'm still struggling to deal with that, but maybe in 2008 I will come to some sort of peace with it. I also know what it feels like for your heart to completely break. That sounds melodramatic, I suppose, but that isn't a lie or an exaggeration. I hope it heals one day, even if the cracks still show. Hopefully if it does, the memory of how much it hurt will only make me more grateful that it is fixed.
So there you go, folks. My 2007. I have been blessed, very blessed as well as tried and beaten down. I hope you have been just as fortunate as I have.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
YOU CAN'T CATCH ME, I'M THE GINGERBREAD MAN...
OK, so I said I'd put up these pictures mainly because I'm frightfully pleased with the way they came out. Here are the gingerbread folks I made for Christmas!
1) These were my practice ones. I call them Milton and Queen Latifa.
2) This is Marilyn and Cleatus. I was very happy with the way Cleatus' overalls came out.
3) By request, here is Han, Chewy and Leia. Well, actually, Han Solo was the only request, but since I was ashamed that I didn't think about making themed cookies, I went ahead and made the others so Han wouldn't get lonely. Chewy doesn't really look like himself, but I know I'll do better next time.
4) Luke and Yoda
5) These were just for me: Capt. Kirk and what was supposed to be Harry Potter until I realized that I couldn't remember what Harry wore, so I made it into a non-descript nerd cookie. Look closely at the sweater vest. I placed each do-hickies on there individually. It wasn't until after I was done that I realized all that trouble was just going to get eaten. Oh well...
OK, so I said I'd put up these pictures mainly because I'm frightfully pleased with the way they came out. Here are the gingerbread folks I made for Christmas!
1) These were my practice ones. I call them Milton and Queen Latifa.
2) This is Marilyn and Cleatus. I was very happy with the way Cleatus' overalls came out.
3) By request, here is Han, Chewy and Leia. Well, actually, Han Solo was the only request, but since I was ashamed that I didn't think about making themed cookies, I went ahead and made the others so Han wouldn't get lonely. Chewy doesn't really look like himself, but I know I'll do better next time.
4) Luke and Yoda
5) These were just for me: Capt. Kirk and what was supposed to be Harry Potter until I realized that I couldn't remember what Harry wore, so I made it into a non-descript nerd cookie. Look closely at the sweater vest. I placed each do-hickies on there individually. It wasn't until after I was done that I realized all that trouble was just going to get eaten. Oh well...
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Oy, what a Christmas!
Don't worry, that is a good "oy" and not an "oy" followed by "vey." :)
This past holiday weekend was so busy! I honestly don't remember Friday night. I'm sure it was all last minute shopping and possibly wrapping gifts, but it's a complete blank to me at the moment.
Saturday I did laundry and a mountain of dishes. It was also the day we celebrated Steve's birthday with his dad and Grandma. That night we went to Mr. Lee's house and ate a great deal of very good food and one of his Grandma's dried apple cakes. Mr. Lee wouldn't let me help at all with anything, so I sat around feeling quite useless. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was sooooooo clumsy that night. I kept knocking things over, dropping my fork, and I believe there are probably some croutons lodged under the refrigerator after I shot them off of my plate while trying to eat a salad. Those suckers flew! I also managed to drop a whole lot of other people's forks while clearing the table. Seriously, I'm lucky I didn't hurt myself or anyone else. One of Mr. Lee's photography friends joined us for dinner that night as well, and we all spent the evening looking at 3D slides of a trip they had taken to Utah. It was a lot of fun. :)
Sunday was church, of course, and it was also Steve's birthday! I couldn't remember how old he was going to be, but it turns out he is 33! OLD MAN! My mom invited Mr. Lee and Grandma to lunch with us and we had Steve's birthday lunch with everyone. It was a lot of fun, and once again we were fed like prize cattle. I felt like a puffer fish after it was all said and done. I didn't go to church that night because I was in charge of dessert for our Christmas eve lunch with my Dad's side of the family. I spent hours and hours putting the finishing touches on gingerbread people, baking cookies and spilling sugar all over the place. I also made cupcakes. I didn't sample anything while I was cooking, but I think I inhaled enough powdered sugar to almost go into a diabetic coma. Since it was Steve's birthday, I also spent the evening watching "The Empire Strikes Back" at his request. I had to watch a lot of it from the kitchen while I was baking, but that didn't seem to bother him at all.
Monday was Christmas eve, of course, and we went to Mom's house to have lunch with the Martins. I didn't know how it would be without Papa there, so I was apprehensive about how I would handle it. I really missed him, but I enjoyed spending time with my cousins and their thousands upon thousands of children. Well, in reality, there were only 7, but they were as loud as thousands upon thousands of children. One of my cousins had just given birth two days before and I didn't think she'd be there, but she was. Her baby was even still in the hospital, but he was undergoing some last minute baby things and they were going to go back and get him later that day. Yikes. My family will someday be as numerous as the tribes of Abraham, I think! Heeheehee. I think I walked into a discussion the other women in my family were having about whether or not I was ever going to punch out a couple of kids. I only think this because I went to put something away in the kitchen and everyone got quiet and looked at me. I probably wouldn't have noticed, but the last thing I heard Angie (my sister) say was "I really don't think so" and when I looked over at her she said..."What?" Angie doesn't exactly have a good poker face. At least they know that *I* don't like to be asked that question, so I don't care a bit if they were talking about me or not! :) We went from there, back over to Mr. Lee's house and we went to dinner with some of his friends. We had Chinese food. Fa ra ra ra ra...
Tuesday we went back to Mom's house and I helped her fix lunch. We had gifts and played one of Seth's games. It's now official, I am NOT as smart as a 5th grader. :( We were having so much fun that it was time to go back to Mr. Lee's house that night and have dinner and gifts over there. Steve and his grandma watched that soul sucking movie "Christmas Comes to Willow Creek," but I plugged into my iPod and ignored it. We were exhausted and over stuffed by the time we finally came home.
All in all, it was a very nice Christmas. Yay.
Don't worry, that is a good "oy" and not an "oy" followed by "vey." :)
This past holiday weekend was so busy! I honestly don't remember Friday night. I'm sure it was all last minute shopping and possibly wrapping gifts, but it's a complete blank to me at the moment.
Saturday I did laundry and a mountain of dishes. It was also the day we celebrated Steve's birthday with his dad and Grandma. That night we went to Mr. Lee's house and ate a great deal of very good food and one of his Grandma's dried apple cakes. Mr. Lee wouldn't let me help at all with anything, so I sat around feeling quite useless. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was sooooooo clumsy that night. I kept knocking things over, dropping my fork, and I believe there are probably some croutons lodged under the refrigerator after I shot them off of my plate while trying to eat a salad. Those suckers flew! I also managed to drop a whole lot of other people's forks while clearing the table. Seriously, I'm lucky I didn't hurt myself or anyone else. One of Mr. Lee's photography friends joined us for dinner that night as well, and we all spent the evening looking at 3D slides of a trip they had taken to Utah. It was a lot of fun. :)
Sunday was church, of course, and it was also Steve's birthday! I couldn't remember how old he was going to be, but it turns out he is 33! OLD MAN! My mom invited Mr. Lee and Grandma to lunch with us and we had Steve's birthday lunch with everyone. It was a lot of fun, and once again we were fed like prize cattle. I felt like a puffer fish after it was all said and done. I didn't go to church that night because I was in charge of dessert for our Christmas eve lunch with my Dad's side of the family. I spent hours and hours putting the finishing touches on gingerbread people, baking cookies and spilling sugar all over the place. I also made cupcakes. I didn't sample anything while I was cooking, but I think I inhaled enough powdered sugar to almost go into a diabetic coma. Since it was Steve's birthday, I also spent the evening watching "The Empire Strikes Back" at his request. I had to watch a lot of it from the kitchen while I was baking, but that didn't seem to bother him at all.
Monday was Christmas eve, of course, and we went to Mom's house to have lunch with the Martins. I didn't know how it would be without Papa there, so I was apprehensive about how I would handle it. I really missed him, but I enjoyed spending time with my cousins and their thousands upon thousands of children. Well, in reality, there were only 7, but they were as loud as thousands upon thousands of children. One of my cousins had just given birth two days before and I didn't think she'd be there, but she was. Her baby was even still in the hospital, but he was undergoing some last minute baby things and they were going to go back and get him later that day. Yikes. My family will someday be as numerous as the tribes of Abraham, I think! Heeheehee. I think I walked into a discussion the other women in my family were having about whether or not I was ever going to punch out a couple of kids. I only think this because I went to put something away in the kitchen and everyone got quiet and looked at me. I probably wouldn't have noticed, but the last thing I heard Angie (my sister) say was "I really don't think so" and when I looked over at her she said..."What?" Angie doesn't exactly have a good poker face. At least they know that *I* don't like to be asked that question, so I don't care a bit if they were talking about me or not! :) We went from there, back over to Mr. Lee's house and we went to dinner with some of his friends. We had Chinese food. Fa ra ra ra ra...
Tuesday we went back to Mom's house and I helped her fix lunch. We had gifts and played one of Seth's games. It's now official, I am NOT as smart as a 5th grader. :( We were having so much fun that it was time to go back to Mr. Lee's house that night and have dinner and gifts over there. Steve and his grandma watched that soul sucking movie "Christmas Comes to Willow Creek," but I plugged into my iPod and ignored it. We were exhausted and over stuffed by the time we finally came home.
All in all, it was a very nice Christmas. Yay.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Happy Christmas Eve!
May your days be merry and bright and all of that!
I've been baking for two days. I'm actually very tired of sugar right now. However, I have managed to bake and decorate my very first gingerbread people cookies! I took pictures, but I'll show them when I have more time. I've also learned to make vanilla butter cream icing from scratch and cookies from a recipe that Steve's grandma gave me a long time ago. I haven't been able to figure them out before. However, now I don't want to eat any of the things I've worked so hard on. The thought of it makes me gaggish. I just hope everyone else likes them!
We will spend the next two days with our families and other people who happen to be around.
To be honest, I'm not feeling very Christmassy this year. Oh well, I have faked it before and I can do it again! Don't worry, I'm not going to follow that up with "Bah Humbug." I like Christmas, I'm just not in the mood. I've learned too much about some unpleasant things in the past couple of days to make me feel very joyful. However, I'm determined not to bring anyone else into it with me! ONWARD TO THE JOY, PEOPLE! ONWARD!!!!!!!
May your days be merry and bright and all of that!
I've been baking for two days. I'm actually very tired of sugar right now. However, I have managed to bake and decorate my very first gingerbread people cookies! I took pictures, but I'll show them when I have more time. I've also learned to make vanilla butter cream icing from scratch and cookies from a recipe that Steve's grandma gave me a long time ago. I haven't been able to figure them out before. However, now I don't want to eat any of the things I've worked so hard on. The thought of it makes me gaggish. I just hope everyone else likes them!
We will spend the next two days with our families and other people who happen to be around.
To be honest, I'm not feeling very Christmassy this year. Oh well, I have faked it before and I can do it again! Don't worry, I'm not going to follow that up with "Bah Humbug." I like Christmas, I'm just not in the mood. I've learned too much about some unpleasant things in the past couple of days to make me feel very joyful. However, I'm determined not to bring anyone else into it with me! ONWARD TO THE JOY, PEOPLE! ONWARD!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
RANDOM ACTS OF BLOGGING
1) OK, who is the man I'm living with, and what did he do with Steve? Last night he decided he couldn't wait any longer to give me my Christmas gifts. I totally understand, because I'm exactly the same way. In fact, I had given him his birthday gift last night even though his birthday isn't until Sunday! He handed me a large envelope, and for a moment I was afraid he had gone and had some boudoir photos made. : ) Inside the envelope was a gift certificate for dance lessons! It was probably one of the most thoughtful gifts he's ever gotten me, and normally his idea of a thoughtful gift is a RAM upgrade! He knew how much I wanted to learn to dance and said he'd be willing to go along and learn with me so that we could dance at his Christmas party next year. All together now: Awwwwwwwww! It's basically for 3 introductory dance lessons which we can choose to continue if we enjoy them. I'm so excited! I love it when people put actual thought into gifts! It means they care enough to pay attention to you. Yay, Steve!
2) I decided a couple of nights ago that I wanted to make chocolate baklava for the marketing department's Christmas brunch. Making baklava is a very time consuming thing that involves buttering dough that is as thin as tissue paper, grinding up nuts, layering all kinds of stuff and making a sugar syrup to pour over everything once you've baked it. One weird thing you have to do to it is cut it BEFORE you bake it. I guess that's because phyllo dough is so delicate that it would probably shatter if you cut it once it was baked. Well, everything went swimmingly except for the fact that one box of my dough was the wrong kind, but I had enough of the phyllo dough to make up for what I didn't have. I chopped, buttered, blah-blah-blah. The sugar syrup is tricky because it has orange and lemon juice, honey, and sugar in it and it has to be boiled for a long time to reduce it. What you have when you are done is basically a very tasty glue that you pour over the finished pastry. Well, I did all of the pouring and left it to cool, but when I went back a couple of hours later and moved the pan it was in, I realized that when I cut the baklava before I baked it, I punched holes into the bottom and sides of the aluminum pan! The very tasty glue had leaked all over the counter and into the grooves between the tiles where I haven't finished grouting! ARGH! Well, at least the baklava tasted good. : )
3) I had to go buy toys for some of my little kid cousins the other day. I know NOTHING about the kinds of things kids like. I didn't even know how old most of them were! I was afraid if I got something too grown up, they'd break it or not enjoy it, but I was afraid if I got something too baby-ish then they would turn their tiny little wraths upon me. I can only hope that they will just be so excited about getting presents that they won't really pay attention to what they got. Most kids are like that, right?
4) I miss Josh. I got a call from him the other day and he seems so happy. I'm very glad that he's happy, but I can't help being selfish enough to wish he was still around. I got to talk to one of his "Brothers" and Josh seems to be very popular with everyone. Apparently he made them all crack up during evening prayers! At least he hasn't changed much since joining the order!
5) I don't like wrapping gifts. At. All.
That is all for now!
1) OK, who is the man I'm living with, and what did he do with Steve? Last night he decided he couldn't wait any longer to give me my Christmas gifts. I totally understand, because I'm exactly the same way. In fact, I had given him his birthday gift last night even though his birthday isn't until Sunday! He handed me a large envelope, and for a moment I was afraid he had gone and had some boudoir photos made. : ) Inside the envelope was a gift certificate for dance lessons! It was probably one of the most thoughtful gifts he's ever gotten me, and normally his idea of a thoughtful gift is a RAM upgrade! He knew how much I wanted to learn to dance and said he'd be willing to go along and learn with me so that we could dance at his Christmas party next year. All together now: Awwwwwwwww! It's basically for 3 introductory dance lessons which we can choose to continue if we enjoy them. I'm so excited! I love it when people put actual thought into gifts! It means they care enough to pay attention to you. Yay, Steve!
2) I decided a couple of nights ago that I wanted to make chocolate baklava for the marketing department's Christmas brunch. Making baklava is a very time consuming thing that involves buttering dough that is as thin as tissue paper, grinding up nuts, layering all kinds of stuff and making a sugar syrup to pour over everything once you've baked it. One weird thing you have to do to it is cut it BEFORE you bake it. I guess that's because phyllo dough is so delicate that it would probably shatter if you cut it once it was baked. Well, everything went swimmingly except for the fact that one box of my dough was the wrong kind, but I had enough of the phyllo dough to make up for what I didn't have. I chopped, buttered, blah-blah-blah. The sugar syrup is tricky because it has orange and lemon juice, honey, and sugar in it and it has to be boiled for a long time to reduce it. What you have when you are done is basically a very tasty glue that you pour over the finished pastry. Well, I did all of the pouring and left it to cool, but when I went back a couple of hours later and moved the pan it was in, I realized that when I cut the baklava before I baked it, I punched holes into the bottom and sides of the aluminum pan! The very tasty glue had leaked all over the counter and into the grooves between the tiles where I haven't finished grouting! ARGH! Well, at least the baklava tasted good. : )
3) I had to go buy toys for some of my little kid cousins the other day. I know NOTHING about the kinds of things kids like. I didn't even know how old most of them were! I was afraid if I got something too grown up, they'd break it or not enjoy it, but I was afraid if I got something too baby-ish then they would turn their tiny little wraths upon me. I can only hope that they will just be so excited about getting presents that they won't really pay attention to what they got. Most kids are like that, right?
4) I miss Josh. I got a call from him the other day and he seems so happy. I'm very glad that he's happy, but I can't help being selfish enough to wish he was still around. I got to talk to one of his "Brothers" and Josh seems to be very popular with everyone. Apparently he made them all crack up during evening prayers! At least he hasn't changed much since joining the order!
5) I don't like wrapping gifts. At. All.
That is all for now!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
*bangs head on desk*
OK, we all know that I have a habit of wardrobe malfunctions. Some of them are horribly embarrassing and some are just inconvenient. Well, I have no idea what to file this one under.
This morning while I was getting ready, I realized I wanted to remind myself that I can look like a girl and wear a dress to work. As it was chilly, I wanted a pair of tights to go under it, but the only pair I could find looked small for me. I had worn them to church not long ago and spent most of the morning tugging them up. This is not a particularly attractive action, but when the tights start to slide down, it is a necessity. I figured I must have gained weight and that was what caused the general migration of the tights, but as they were the only pair I had on hand, they were going to have to do. In a fit of inspiration, I decided that since I'd be wearing my most awesome knee-high boots, I could do a little surgery on them without anyone being the wiser. So I snipped the ends of them off so my feet could go through. At first, everything seemed to work just fine, but beginning after my department meeting this morning, the migration began again.
I suppose I should pause here and mention that when one feels too fat for their clothes, it can be a downer for the day. No one wants to feel as if their clothes are too tight, but that's what I was dealing with. So periodically, and by the grace of God alone no one saw me do this, I was able to just flip my skirt over my head and give the 'ol tights a tug.
As the day went on, this began to be a problem. I was pulling them up every ten minutes or so. At about 4:30, when I had just about decided to just pull off my boots and cut the damn things off at the knees, I realized why my tights kept slipping down. It wasn't because I had gained weight, thank goodness, but for another reason that should have been much more obvious to me before I even put them on. The tights were not for adults. These were children's tights that I bought because I needed the stretchy material for some kind of project that I never wound up doing. I was basically trying to wear clothes that were meant for a child of about ten. I should probably write a letter to the company that produced them to compliment the elasticity of their fabric or something. I'm hardly the size of a 10 year old, after all. I have no idea why it didn't dawn on me before then, but it hadn't.
Seriously, I need someone to dress me in the mornings.
OK, we all know that I have a habit of wardrobe malfunctions. Some of them are horribly embarrassing and some are just inconvenient. Well, I have no idea what to file this one under.
This morning while I was getting ready, I realized I wanted to remind myself that I can look like a girl and wear a dress to work. As it was chilly, I wanted a pair of tights to go under it, but the only pair I could find looked small for me. I had worn them to church not long ago and spent most of the morning tugging them up. This is not a particularly attractive action, but when the tights start to slide down, it is a necessity. I figured I must have gained weight and that was what caused the general migration of the tights, but as they were the only pair I had on hand, they were going to have to do. In a fit of inspiration, I decided that since I'd be wearing my most awesome knee-high boots, I could do a little surgery on them without anyone being the wiser. So I snipped the ends of them off so my feet could go through. At first, everything seemed to work just fine, but beginning after my department meeting this morning, the migration began again.
I suppose I should pause here and mention that when one feels too fat for their clothes, it can be a downer for the day. No one wants to feel as if their clothes are too tight, but that's what I was dealing with. So periodically, and by the grace of God alone no one saw me do this, I was able to just flip my skirt over my head and give the 'ol tights a tug.
As the day went on, this began to be a problem. I was pulling them up every ten minutes or so. At about 4:30, when I had just about decided to just pull off my boots and cut the damn things off at the knees, I realized why my tights kept slipping down. It wasn't because I had gained weight, thank goodness, but for another reason that should have been much more obvious to me before I even put them on. The tights were not for adults. These were children's tights that I bought because I needed the stretchy material for some kind of project that I never wound up doing. I was basically trying to wear clothes that were meant for a child of about ten. I should probably write a letter to the company that produced them to compliment the elasticity of their fabric or something. I'm hardly the size of a 10 year old, after all. I have no idea why it didn't dawn on me before then, but it hadn't.
Seriously, I need someone to dress me in the mornings.
Monday, December 17, 2007
WEEKEND UPDATE!
FRIDAY: Friday night was the annual choir and
music ministry dinner at church. I should have gone over to the church
much earlier than I did, but when I came home and changed clothes, I
lay down for a couple of minutes and wound up sleeping quite soundly
for a couple of hours! I felt so bad. Selena, the head of the hostess
committee, probably had to deal with the cooking and set up all alone.
She did a great job, but I felt bad that I didn't come and help her!
Even though quite a few people were missing, it was a success and I
believe everyone had a really good time. Mr. Lee did his one man show
and he was really funny.
SATURDAY: Saturday wasn't all that
eventful, but I did have to go grocery shopping. I was scared. As you
know, I hate going shopping at places like Target and Wal -Mart during
the holiday time, but I had no choice since I had to pick up a
prescription. Luckily for me, though, I somehow managed to get in and
out of Target perfectly in between when they opened and when the first
crazy shoppers arrived. I even got to park close to the front of the
parking lot! Go Me! The only draw back I had was that when I got back
to the car with my purchases, two old people sat in their cars and
waited for me to get my things in the trunk and pull out. I hate
Parking Lot Vultures! It makes me want to just say screw the milk and
whatever else needs to be refrigerated and walk back into the store
just to piss them off. I don't think it would bother me so much if they
didn't pass up perfectly good parking spaces and back up traffic just
to wait for me to leave so that they could park three feet closer to
the entrance. BOO! I came home with my purchases and had lunch and I
watched an honest to goodness scary movie. I'm kind of jaded when it
comes to scary movies these days. There aren't that many that are truly
spooky. They are gross and violent, but if you've seen one half-naked
chick get decapitated for not being smart enough to run in the right
direction, you've seen a million of them. No, the movie I rented on On
Demand was "1408.' It's based on a Stephen King novella which was good ,
but not his best work. Stephen King stories sometimes don't translate
well from book to screen, but this one was awesome! It's too long to
really explain, but it had me balled up on the couch and hiding behind
a pillow. I NEVER do that when watching "horror" movies. In fact, I
don't even know if you can consider 1408 to be a horror movie. It was
more of a psychological thriller-suspense movie. Needless to say, I
think you should watch it yourself if you like those kinds of movies.
Only one spoiler - The Carpenters have never freaked me out more! : )
That night, Steve and I had dinner with Anthony at Bonefish
Grille. The food is good, if you like seafood that is, but it seems a
little over hyped to me. We had a good time, though. I firmly believe
that even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are delicious when you eat them in good company. : )
SUNDAY: Sunday was Church, of course. We didn't have normal services that morning because the choir was doing their Christmas cantata.
They did excellently, in my opinion. I volunteered to video the musical
for a man who is in the choir, but unfortunately, he didn't have a
tripod for the camera. I did the best I could to hold it still, but
there is going to be some movement. Oops. The camera also ran out of
memory about 30 seconds into the last song, but that wasn't my fault! :
) We had lunch with Mr. Lee and Grandma and then went home to
accidentally fall asleep on the couch. There is something almost
perfect about lazy Sunday afternoon naps. Unfortunately, I spent all of
my own nap having violent nightmares! I sang during the evening
service. I was nervous because I haven't sung during worship service in
so long. I found a version of "O Holy Night" that I really liked. It
was the version that Mariah Carey did on her Christmas album. I am fully surprised that I could sing it since she has a 5 octave vocal range, but I've realized that I don't have to sing all 5 octaves, even if she does! I have a three octave range like most normal people, so it worked out.
It
was hard for me to sing for more personal reasons, too, though. I've
mentioned before that I was supposed to sing at my parent's church in
October, but then papa died so suddenly. He was so excited about
hearing me sing, and I didn't get a chance to do it. But right as I got
up to sing, I had the nicest feeling that he was listening anyways, so
that helped me get through it. I kept crying when I'd rehearse, but I
got through the actual performance without crying at all. I just miss
him so much, I guess. It'll take a while before singing doesn't hurt so
badly.
I was also broadcast via satellite (or cell phone, if you
want to get picky) to the girl whose wedding I'm singing at this month.
I suppose she was a little worried that I might sound like Kermit the
Frog or something, so her aunt came in and called her and held up the
phone while I was singing. I almost started laughing! I've never had
that to happen to me before!
FRIDAY: Friday night was the annual choir and
music ministry dinner at church. I should have gone over to the church
much earlier than I did, but when I came home and changed clothes, I
lay down for a couple of minutes and wound up sleeping quite soundly
for a couple of hours! I felt so bad. Selena, the head of the hostess
committee, probably had to deal with the cooking and set up all alone.
She did a great job, but I felt bad that I didn't come and help her!
Even though quite a few people were missing, it was a success and I
believe everyone had a really good time. Mr. Lee did his one man show
and he was really funny.
SATURDAY: Saturday wasn't all that
eventful, but I did have to go grocery shopping. I was scared. As you
know, I hate going shopping at places like Target and Wal -Mart during
the holiday time, but I had no choice since I had to pick up a
prescription. Luckily for me, though, I somehow managed to get in and
out of Target perfectly in between when they opened and when the first
crazy shoppers arrived. I even got to park close to the front of the
parking lot! Go Me! The only draw back I had was that when I got back
to the car with my purchases, two old people sat in their cars and
waited for me to get my things in the trunk and pull out. I hate
Parking Lot Vultures! It makes me want to just say screw the milk and
whatever else needs to be refrigerated and walk back into the store
just to piss them off. I don't think it would bother me so much if they
didn't pass up perfectly good parking spaces and back up traffic just
to wait for me to leave so that they could park three feet closer to
the entrance. BOO! I came home with my purchases and had lunch and I
watched an honest to goodness scary movie. I'm kind of jaded when it
comes to scary movies these days. There aren't that many that are truly
spooky. They are gross and violent, but if you've seen one half-naked
chick get decapitated for not being smart enough to run in the right
direction, you've seen a million of them. No, the movie I rented on On
Demand was "1408.' It's based on a Stephen King novella which was good ,
but not his best work. Stephen King stories sometimes don't translate
well from book to screen, but this one was awesome! It's too long to
really explain, but it had me balled up on the couch and hiding behind
a pillow. I NEVER do that when watching "horror" movies. In fact, I
don't even know if you can consider 1408 to be a horror movie. It was
more of a psychological thriller-suspense movie. Needless to say, I
think you should watch it yourself if you like those kinds of movies.
Only one spoiler - The Carpenters have never freaked me out more! : )
That night, Steve and I had dinner with Anthony at Bonefish
Grille. The food is good, if you like seafood that is, but it seems a
little over hyped to me. We had a good time, though. I firmly believe
that even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are delicious when you eat them in good company. : )
SUNDAY: Sunday was Church, of course. We didn't have normal services that morning because the choir was doing their Christmas cantata.
They did excellently, in my opinion. I volunteered to video the musical
for a man who is in the choir, but unfortunately, he didn't have a
tripod for the camera. I did the best I could to hold it still, but
there is going to be some movement. Oops. The camera also ran out of
memory about 30 seconds into the last song, but that wasn't my fault! :
) We had lunch with Mr. Lee and Grandma and then went home to
accidentally fall asleep on the couch. There is something almost
perfect about lazy Sunday afternoon naps. Unfortunately, I spent all of
my own nap having violent nightmares! I sang during the evening
service. I was nervous because I haven't sung during worship service in
so long. I found a version of "O Holy Night" that I really liked. It
was the version that Mariah Carey did on her Christmas album. I am fully surprised that I could sing it since she has a 5 octave vocal range, but I've realized that I don't have to sing all 5 octaves, even if she does! I have a three octave range like most normal people, so it worked out.
It
was hard for me to sing for more personal reasons, too, though. I've
mentioned before that I was supposed to sing at my parent's church in
October, but then papa died so suddenly. He was so excited about
hearing me sing, and I didn't get a chance to do it. But right as I got
up to sing, I had the nicest feeling that he was listening anyways, so
that helped me get through it. I kept crying when I'd rehearse, but I
got through the actual performance without crying at all. I just miss
him so much, I guess. It'll take a while before singing doesn't hurt so
badly.
I was also broadcast via satellite (or cell phone, if you
want to get picky) to the girl whose wedding I'm singing at this month.
I suppose she was a little worried that I might sound like Kermit the
Frog or something, so her aunt came in and called her and held up the
phone while I was singing. I almost started laughing! I've never had
that to happen to me before!
Friday, December 14, 2007
RANDOM ACTS OF BLOGGING
1) I miss Fat Dog. Fat Dog is a dog who lives up the street from me and I used to see him and his owner, Fat Guy, walking every morning. Well, Fat Guy isn't so fat anymore because he's been walking Fat Dog regularly for about three years now. However, Fat Dog never seems to get any thinner. From what I can tell, he's a gray and white border collie and he looks like a really furry barrel with legs. He's so funny to see waddling along on his leash! Lately, though, I think I've been missing them on my way into work. I had gotten used to saying "Oh, look, there's Fat Dog!" I'd even sometimes sing a Fat Dog song to the tune of the "COPS" theme. I guess they've changed their walk time. :(
2) I'm so tired! I don't know what is going on with me lately. Either I can't sleep at all, or all I want to do is sleep. Right now I'd love to take a nap. I keep nodding off while I'm sitting here. Hopefully I won't go completely out and fall out of my chair!
3) This is my new co-worker, Andrew. He's a pirate! He's also really nice. Don't be scared.
1) I miss Fat Dog. Fat Dog is a dog who lives up the street from me and I used to see him and his owner, Fat Guy, walking every morning. Well, Fat Guy isn't so fat anymore because he's been walking Fat Dog regularly for about three years now. However, Fat Dog never seems to get any thinner. From what I can tell, he's a gray and white border collie and he looks like a really furry barrel with legs. He's so funny to see waddling along on his leash! Lately, though, I think I've been missing them on my way into work. I had gotten used to saying "Oh, look, there's Fat Dog!" I'd even sometimes sing a Fat Dog song to the tune of the "COPS" theme. I guess they've changed their walk time. :(
2) I'm so tired! I don't know what is going on with me lately. Either I can't sleep at all, or all I want to do is sleep. Right now I'd love to take a nap. I keep nodding off while I'm sitting here. Hopefully I won't go completely out and fall out of my chair!
3) This is my new co-worker, Andrew. He's a pirate! He's also really nice. Don't be scared.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I've been booked to sing at two more weddings! Once girl I don't even know, but I know her aunt. Apparently, I was recommended. Now, I just need to locate the CD she wants me to sing and we'll be all set. Her wedding is at the end of December, so I don't have much time!
The other wedding is not until November of next year, but the girl who asked said she has wanted me to sing at her wedding for the past five years. Wow. Bless her heart, she's been so anxious to get married that I'm not altogether sure she didn't tell her boyfriend that if she didn't marry her she'd break up with him (or murder him, rather.) I don't think he really wanted to get engaged, but I suppose when the whip is cracked, the weak man will bend. That sounds kind of mean, I suppose, but I find it hard to respect a man who can get talked into getting married. I just hope that being married is as blissful as this girl thinks it's going to be. I have no idea what I'm singing in that wedding, but since she's been planning her wedding since she met this guy, I'm sure she had a long list to choose from! : )
The other wedding is not until November of next year, but the girl who asked said she has wanted me to sing at her wedding for the past five years. Wow. Bless her heart, she's been so anxious to get married that I'm not altogether sure she didn't tell her boyfriend that if she didn't marry her she'd break up with him (or murder him, rather.) I don't think he really wanted to get engaged, but I suppose when the whip is cracked, the weak man will bend. That sounds kind of mean, I suppose, but I find it hard to respect a man who can get talked into getting married. I just hope that being married is as blissful as this girl thinks it's going to be. I have no idea what I'm singing in that wedding, but since she's been planning her wedding since she met this guy, I'm sure she had a long list to choose from! : )
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I have recently begun getting a subscription of Town & Country magazine. Normally I don't go and buy that magazine, but I had some Coke points to use up before a certain date and I decided to use it for that. I like to read it because it's basically a magazine for the filthy rich. That sounds kind of funny to say, but literally it talks about things that no lower, middle, or even upper-middle class folks probably ever think about. I think it's a fun read, mainly because I know I'll never be able to buy any of those things and it makes me laugh to hear about the obscenely frivolous things that some people spend a LOT of money on. Of course, that let me to ponder a question:
If someone of my solid middle-class upbringing suddenly had millions upon millions of dollars, I'm talking about the kind of bank that makes it possible to never worry about money again, how long would it take before they started spending their money on expensive, yet impractical, things. I'm not talking about paying off bills, loans and mortages, or even that first splurge of spending that I'm sure would happen to anyone who came into a lot of money. I'm talking about $3,500 handbags, $80,000 earrings (both of which I saw in the magazine) or $200,000 home sound systems. I suppose the correct term would be "Luxury" items. The thought of spending that kind of cash all in one drop, and not buying something important, kind of takes my breath away.
Granted, I'd love to be loaded and be able to pay off my bills, take care of my family and pay for my nephew's college educations, but would I - personally - ever find myself browsing through Tiffany's for a necklace that cost more than some people make in a year just because I had the money to do so? Would I drive a super expensive car or a gigantic house? It's an interesting thought. I'd love to hear your views on it, too. I don't really think there would be one all-encompassing answer for this.
If someone of my solid middle-class upbringing suddenly had millions upon millions of dollars, I'm talking about the kind of bank that makes it possible to never worry about money again, how long would it take before they started spending their money on expensive, yet impractical, things. I'm not talking about paying off bills, loans and mortages, or even that first splurge of spending that I'm sure would happen to anyone who came into a lot of money. I'm talking about $3,500 handbags, $80,000 earrings (both of which I saw in the magazine) or $200,000 home sound systems. I suppose the correct term would be "Luxury" items. The thought of spending that kind of cash all in one drop, and not buying something important, kind of takes my breath away.
Granted, I'd love to be loaded and be able to pay off my bills, take care of my family and pay for my nephew's college educations, but would I - personally - ever find myself browsing through Tiffany's for a necklace that cost more than some people make in a year just because I had the money to do so? Would I drive a super expensive car or a gigantic house? It's an interesting thought. I'd love to hear your views on it, too. I don't really think there would be one all-encompassing answer for this.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
WEEKEND UPDATE!
FRIDAY: Work on Friday was very relaxing. I literally had nothing to do. This time of year it's always like that. Since my boss was not there, I worked on the baby blanket I've been crocheting. Unfortunately I ran out of an important color of yarn, so I decided to use up the yarn I've had in my office and make something cute. I've seen tons of patterns for "amigurumi" which are small crocheted toys. I've never tried to make any of them because I don't really have a reason to make toys, but it's so much fun I think I'll start doing it anyways! I decided to make a stuffed eel, but unfortunately all I got done was the body and it was unfortunately very phallic looking. I had to hide it under the desk while I was working on it so my co-workers wouldn't think I was a complete pervert.
Greg was coming over to stay the night and he and Steve were telling manly stories when I got home. They don't get to see each other that often, so after dinner I just left them alone to do man-stuff. I got pulled in a couple of times, but mainly I sat back and finished my eel. I had to. Greg made fun of it, so I had to finish it. It's got a face and everything now, so it doesn't look as perverse as it did. : )
SATURDAY: This was a full day! I sat around and talked with Steve and Greg for a while and then drove out to E.L. to have lunch with some family members. A cousin of mine, who I used to spend a lot of time with as a kid, his parents and his wife were staying with my mom that night and he wanted us to get together. We didn't get along very well as kids, mainly because he was an only child and I was the youngest child and we had conflicting issues of wanting attention, I guess. We got along much better this time! Heeheehee. He reminded me of the time that we got in a fight over something and beat the snot out of each other with badmintonrackets. Ahhhhhh, good times. : ) I didn't get to stay very long because Steve's corporate Christmas party was that night and I had to get ready for that as well as sew buttons on a jacket for Steve. Buttons suck.
We had a great time at the party, even though Steve STILL refuses to dance with me. We sat at the geek table with the other IT guys and their wives. I got to meet Scott, the new guy, and I like him a lot. I also got to see the ladies who put the party together (great job, by the way!) and I met the president of the company again. I don't think he remembers me because I think this was the third time he's introduced himself to me. Oh well. There were a lot of silly dancers out there. Drunk exectutives are a fun bunch to watch. : ) I refused to buy anything new for the party this year because I didn't know how long we'd stay. Last year I spent a lot of money on a dress and shoes and everything and we stayed an hour. Boo. I think I looked OK though. I was having a great hair day, I know that. My dress, unfortunately, was cut a little low, so all night I felt like I was wearing a blinking sign that said "My Boobz! Let me show you them!" There was a lot of neckline tugging. After we got home, Steve and I played his new X-Box game. Normally I don't care for video games, but this one is fun. It's some kind of Lego Star Wars thing. I kick butt when driving an AT-AT, but I'm not so good on the speeder bikes. : )
SUNDAY: We had church, of course, but we didn't go to lunch anywhere. It was kind of nice being able to come home and relax. We played more of the video game and took naps. Church was that night and then dinner with Grandma and Mr. Lee.
Monday isn't exactly part of the weekend, but I woke up feeling sick and I didn't go to work. I spent the day making another crochet animal.
That is all.
FRIDAY: Work on Friday was very relaxing. I literally had nothing to do. This time of year it's always like that. Since my boss was not there, I worked on the baby blanket I've been crocheting. Unfortunately I ran out of an important color of yarn, so I decided to use up the yarn I've had in my office and make something cute. I've seen tons of patterns for "amigurumi" which are small crocheted toys. I've never tried to make any of them because I don't really have a reason to make toys, but it's so much fun I think I'll start doing it anyways! I decided to make a stuffed eel, but unfortunately all I got done was the body and it was unfortunately very phallic looking. I had to hide it under the desk while I was working on it so my co-workers wouldn't think I was a complete pervert.
Greg was coming over to stay the night and he and Steve were telling manly stories when I got home. They don't get to see each other that often, so after dinner I just left them alone to do man-stuff. I got pulled in a couple of times, but mainly I sat back and finished my eel. I had to. Greg made fun of it, so I had to finish it. It's got a face and everything now, so it doesn't look as perverse as it did. : )
SATURDAY: This was a full day! I sat around and talked with Steve and Greg for a while and then drove out to E.L. to have lunch with some family members. A cousin of mine, who I used to spend a lot of time with as a kid, his parents and his wife were staying with my mom that night and he wanted us to get together. We didn't get along very well as kids, mainly because he was an only child and I was the youngest child and we had conflicting issues of wanting attention, I guess. We got along much better this time! Heeheehee. He reminded me of the time that we got in a fight over something and beat the snot out of each other with badmintonrackets. Ahhhhhh, good times. : ) I didn't get to stay very long because Steve's corporate Christmas party was that night and I had to get ready for that as well as sew buttons on a jacket for Steve. Buttons suck.
We had a great time at the party, even though Steve STILL refuses to dance with me. We sat at the geek table with the other IT guys and their wives. I got to meet Scott, the new guy, and I like him a lot. I also got to see the ladies who put the party together (great job, by the way!) and I met the president of the company again. I don't think he remembers me because I think this was the third time he's introduced himself to me. Oh well. There were a lot of silly dancers out there. Drunk exectutives are a fun bunch to watch. : ) I refused to buy anything new for the party this year because I didn't know how long we'd stay. Last year I spent a lot of money on a dress and shoes and everything and we stayed an hour. Boo. I think I looked OK though. I was having a great hair day, I know that. My dress, unfortunately, was cut a little low, so all night I felt like I was wearing a blinking sign that said "My Boobz! Let me show you them!" There was a lot of neckline tugging. After we got home, Steve and I played his new X-Box game. Normally I don't care for video games, but this one is fun. It's some kind of Lego Star Wars thing. I kick butt when driving an AT-AT, but I'm not so good on the speeder bikes. : )
SUNDAY: We had church, of course, but we didn't go to lunch anywhere. It was kind of nice being able to come home and relax. We played more of the video game and took naps. Church was that night and then dinner with Grandma and Mr. Lee.
Monday isn't exactly part of the weekend, but I woke up feeling sick and I didn't go to work. I spent the day making another crochet animal.
That is all.
Friday, December 07, 2007
RANDOM ACTS OF BLOGGING
1) Zee house, she is clean. Well, clean-ish. I've decided that I really don't care for cleaning, especially bathrooms. I really hate cleaning our front bathroom because whatever post WWII company that threw our subdivision together decided that white tiles on the floor and halfway up the walls was a good idea. Granted, it was probably lived in by some family that had a housewife who spent a great deal of time scrubbing the tiles and making them look lovely, but it isn't so convenient for a chicka who works full time and is usually too tired to hands-and-knees scrub the floor. Hastared contractor.
2) My hands are cold and I can't find my gloves or mittens. My mom gave me a great pair of leather gloves a couple of years ago and I have inadvertently packed them away somewhere. I also bought myself a pair of convertible mittens that you can fold the over-the-finger part back and button them to the back of your hand. They had gloves underneath without fingertips so I could still have my dexterity in case I had to do outside signage in the winter. I just saw them the other day, too. Grrrrr. I am usually hot natured, but my hands and feet always get painfully cold during winter. I guess I could always just start wearing socks over my hands or something. Don't worry, though. I'll find them. : )
3) I did some Christmas decorating last night! Normally I don't bother with anything other than the Christmas tree because bric-a-brac just gets in the way. Over the past two days, though, while I haven't been busy at work, I've been making 3D paper craft snowflakes and they are now hanging over the door. They are really pretty, but a pain in the rear to make. Lots of cutting. LOTS.
4) I almost had a throw down with one of the VPs yesterday. Well, I say that, but I never could get them on the phone. They are so unorganized! For some reason they think we can design signs and displays without having any information about what needs to be on them, where they need to go, and when they need to be done. Plus this particular guy - whom is referred to as The Pointy Haired Boss by some - never tells us directly what he needs. He always sends a message through someone else and it's never clear what he's asking for. It makes me want to slam my own head repeatedly into my keyboard.
5) You know, I thought I had strange co-workers. However, I just got trumped. My source, who shall remain nameless, works with a woman who comes into work and takes of her skirt and just sits there in her slip. She will drape her skirt across her lap, but she doesn't wear it. Maybe she has good reasons for this, but I can't even begin to understand what they could be. Seriously, that is deranged. Not only that, but someone who works with my source had to go into her office once, and the lady just stood up and held the skirt in front of herself. The guy who had to go in was also disturbed at this, for good reason. I know I've threatened to take off my clothes and work in my underwear when it gets 80 or 90 degrees in my office, but I'd probably never actually do it. Yikes.
1) Zee house, she is clean. Well, clean-ish. I've decided that I really don't care for cleaning, especially bathrooms. I really hate cleaning our front bathroom because whatever post WWII company that threw our subdivision together decided that white tiles on the floor and halfway up the walls was a good idea. Granted, it was probably lived in by some family that had a housewife who spent a great deal of time scrubbing the tiles and making them look lovely, but it isn't so convenient for a chicka who works full time and is usually too tired to hands-and-knees scrub the floor. Hastared contractor.
2) My hands are cold and I can't find my gloves or mittens. My mom gave me a great pair of leather gloves a couple of years ago and I have inadvertently packed them away somewhere. I also bought myself a pair of convertible mittens that you can fold the over-the-finger part back and button them to the back of your hand. They had gloves underneath without fingertips so I could still have my dexterity in case I had to do outside signage in the winter. I just saw them the other day, too. Grrrrr. I am usually hot natured, but my hands and feet always get painfully cold during winter. I guess I could always just start wearing socks over my hands or something. Don't worry, though. I'll find them. : )
3) I did some Christmas decorating last night! Normally I don't bother with anything other than the Christmas tree because bric-a-brac just gets in the way. Over the past two days, though, while I haven't been busy at work, I've been making 3D paper craft snowflakes and they are now hanging over the door. They are really pretty, but a pain in the rear to make. Lots of cutting. LOTS.
4) I almost had a throw down with one of the VPs yesterday. Well, I say that, but I never could get them on the phone. They are so unorganized! For some reason they think we can design signs and displays without having any information about what needs to be on them, where they need to go, and when they need to be done. Plus this particular guy - whom is referred to as The Pointy Haired Boss by some - never tells us directly what he needs. He always sends a message through someone else and it's never clear what he's asking for. It makes me want to slam my own head repeatedly into my keyboard.
5) You know, I thought I had strange co-workers. However, I just got trumped. My source, who shall remain nameless, works with a woman who comes into work and takes of her skirt and just sits there in her slip. She will drape her skirt across her lap, but she doesn't wear it. Maybe she has good reasons for this, but I can't even begin to understand what they could be. Seriously, that is deranged. Not only that, but someone who works with my source had to go into her office once, and the lady just stood up and held the skirt in front of herself. The guy who had to go in was also disturbed at this, for good reason. I know I've threatened to take off my clothes and work in my underwear when it gets 80 or 90 degrees in my office, but I'd probably never actually do it. Yikes.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Sigh.
I am so sick of getting SPAM messages at work. Seriously. While I was gone two weeks, I got almost 5,000 messages - those were just the ones that went into my deleted files. I had to go and delete even more of them from my inbox.
I am still uncertain why anyone thinks that this is a good marketing strategy. I mean, it's cheap, but most people don't even open the message. I would assume spam killers would get rid of most of it, anyways. I wish there was a way to design a real nasty computer virus that could be returned to whomever sends these things and physically blow their computers apart. Of course, something like that could be used for evil purposes, but I'm willing to chance it.
However, I will post an open letter to all of the SPAM dealers out there who have decided that my work e-mail is fair game.
Dear Spam Senders,
I do not need any prescription medications that a doctor hasn't personally given me. I do not want a Rolex, a new mortgage, life insurance, or stock tips. I do not need male sexual enhancement and I do not care if you are a lonely girl who "Just want talking to you for fun." I also do not feel the need to fill out surveys for free gift cards and I certainly am not interested in hiding your eighty billion dollars in my bank account until you and the prince of South America can call me and get it back. I'm also not sure what the paragraphs of misspelled nonsense means, but if I read it out loud and it summons a demon, the first thing I'm going to tell him to do is find your information server and nuke it, right before I have him club you to death with your own severed leg. I hate you and want you to die.
Kisses!
Kelly
I am so sick of getting SPAM messages at work. Seriously. While I was gone two weeks, I got almost 5,000 messages - those were just the ones that went into my deleted files. I had to go and delete even more of them from my inbox.
I am still uncertain why anyone thinks that this is a good marketing strategy. I mean, it's cheap, but most people don't even open the message. I would assume spam killers would get rid of most of it, anyways. I wish there was a way to design a real nasty computer virus that could be returned to whomever sends these things and physically blow their computers apart. Of course, something like that could be used for evil purposes, but I'm willing to chance it.
However, I will post an open letter to all of the SPAM dealers out there who have decided that my work e-mail is fair game.
Dear Spam Senders,
I do not need any prescription medications that a doctor hasn't personally given me. I do not want a Rolex, a new mortgage, life insurance, or stock tips. I do not need male sexual enhancement and I do not care if you are a lonely girl who "Just want talking to you for fun." I also do not feel the need to fill out surveys for free gift cards and I certainly am not interested in hiding your eighty billion dollars in my bank account until you and the prince of South America can call me and get it back. I'm also not sure what the paragraphs of misspelled nonsense means, but if I read it out loud and it summons a demon, the first thing I'm going to tell him to do is find your information server and nuke it, right before I have him club you to death with your own severed leg. I hate you and want you to die.
Kisses!
Kelly
Oops! I totally destroyed my plastic measuring cup! I wanted to make oatmeal in my office microwave and I didn't have a plastic bowl to make it in. I did, however, have a plastic measuring cup that I use when I have to resort to the "just add water" kind of lunches. I put that in the microwave for 4 minutes (a minute less than the directions called for) and when I took it out, it looked like this:
Not only did I destroy my cup, I destroyed my oatmeal. Boo.
This is why I can't have nice things. :(
Not only did I destroy my cup, I destroyed my oatmeal. Boo.This is why I can't have nice things. :(
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
RANDOM ACTS OF BLOGGING
1) I want a cat. Well, more specifically, I want a Scottish fold cat. I love their ears. Of course, I can't have a cat of any kind for three reasons: A) Steve hates cats. B) Any animal smaller than a cocker spaniel will be a satisfying snack for my dogs and C) Most cats don't like me. They know I'm a dog person at heart and they hold it against me. I've only met two cats that have ever liked me. One is my furry nephew Duke and the other is Chairman Meow, which lives in Georgia. Otherwise they avoid me like the plague. :(
2) I did a face plant in my yard Sunday morning. I was going around the side of the house to pet my doggies and the heel of my boot got caught in a gopher hole. It wasn't much fun for me, but I'm sure seeing my purse and bible fly out of my hands like projectiles was great fun for the neighbors! Even the dogs laughed at me!
3) I love Christmas music. I love all kinds of it, even the secular stuff, but my favorites are Christmas hymns. They are very spiritually satisfying. Is there any better song for the holidays than "O Holy Night?" It always gives me the shivers.
4) I picked up a magazine the other day called $100,000 Quilting Challenge because I have been thinking about trying my hand at making a quilt. I know, I know, like I need any more crap in my art office. However, apparently the magazine I picked up wasn't just about quilting, but a special magazine that is published as part of an actual competetion for quilt makers. I thought that I would be pretty good at quilting until I looked at the ones that are finalists in the competetion. Then I thought to myself...ooooooooh, yeah. Probably not going to ever be this good at it!
More later. Maybe.
1) I want a cat. Well, more specifically, I want a Scottish fold cat. I love their ears. Of course, I can't have a cat of any kind for three reasons: A) Steve hates cats. B) Any animal smaller than a cocker spaniel will be a satisfying snack for my dogs and C) Most cats don't like me. They know I'm a dog person at heart and they hold it against me. I've only met two cats that have ever liked me. One is my furry nephew Duke and the other is Chairman Meow, which lives in Georgia. Otherwise they avoid me like the plague. :(
2) I did a face plant in my yard Sunday morning. I was going around the side of the house to pet my doggies and the heel of my boot got caught in a gopher hole. It wasn't much fun for me, but I'm sure seeing my purse and bible fly out of my hands like projectiles was great fun for the neighbors! Even the dogs laughed at me!
3) I love Christmas music. I love all kinds of it, even the secular stuff, but my favorites are Christmas hymns. They are very spiritually satisfying. Is there any better song for the holidays than "O Holy Night?" It always gives me the shivers.
4) I picked up a magazine the other day called $100,000 Quilting Challenge because I have been thinking about trying my hand at making a quilt. I know, I know, like I need any more crap in my art office. However, apparently the magazine I picked up wasn't just about quilting, but a special magazine that is published as part of an actual competetion for quilt makers. I thought that I would be pretty good at quilting until I looked at the ones that are finalists in the competetion. Then I thought to myself...ooooooooh, yeah. Probably not going to ever be this good at it!
More later. Maybe.
Monday, December 03, 2007
I would LOVE to get this Christmas tree!
I'm not allowed to be that non-traditional, though. Steve will only let me go so far. : )
I'm not allowed to be that non-traditional, though. Steve will only let me go so far. : )
Let's play the hypothetical game!
Let's say you are one of the managers of a rather large and rather famous tourist attraction. For funzies, let's say it's a space museum! Now, this imaginary space museum is building a large and rather impressive addition to hold a really large exhibit...like a Saturn V rocket. Now tell me, would you ask your graphics department to go down to the new addition and decide about the kinds of signs the new building will need BEFORE the sheet rock has even been added to the walls?
Yeah, that does sound kind of silly. : ) Not to mention that a contractor will be making most of the signage anyways. That almost deserves a "Bless Your Heart" award. Heehehee
My weekend was very normal this time. Steve and I did put up the Christmas tree, though. It's the first time in two years that I have been able to help with that. Poor Steve almost got electrocuted by a broken bulb, but thankfully he only got the crap shocked out of him. I would say that it was funny, but I hated that it hurt so badly! We got Griswold out of his box in the garage and turned on "Christmas Vacation," which is easily the funniest Christmas movie ever made. Turns out that putting the tree together and decorating it takes exactly as long as the movie lasts! Go us! I'm so glad we have an artificial tree. I've never liked real trees in the house. It seems sort of perverse to me to kill a tree just to bring it into the house for a couple of weeks and watch it fall apart. Also, I like symmetry and real trees hardly ever have that. Of course, I am not what you would call a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas anyways, so I'm sure that my opinion is not shared by many. I can totally dig that.
Saturday was also Butler's 5th birthday! My dog is getting old! We gave him french fries (of course, they are his favorite) and as a party favor, we got a rawhide bone that was about 2 1/2 feet long. Butler didn't seem interested, but Bear decided that he couldn't rest until he'd gnawed it to death. We had to physically remove the dog from the bone, and even then he chewed at the bars of his kennel trying to get at it. It was really strange. We left it outside the next day and Bear spent the whole day chewing it. I'm afraid he isn't going to have any teeth left when he's done.
Sunday was church and lunch with Mom. After evening service, we went to eat with a bunch of people from our church and someone brought Steve's grandma an ice cream cake for her birthday. It wasn't out of the freezer for long when they gave me the task of cutting it. Imagine trying to cut a rock hard wedge of dessert with a plastic knife! The first one snapped and almost blinded me and granma with flying chunks of plastic. Then someone finally handed me a big pocket knife and we sort of got things moving with that. Nelson, the Smartest Man Alive, finally told me how to cut it to where we wouldn't have to wait for the whole thing to thaw and it worked! Yay! Of course, by then I was sticky up to my elbows and had bits of ice cream melting in my lap. Sometimes you'll do crazy things for your Grandma, won't you? Good times, good times.
Let's say you are one of the managers of a rather large and rather famous tourist attraction. For funzies, let's say it's a space museum! Now, this imaginary space museum is building a large and rather impressive addition to hold a really large exhibit...like a Saturn V rocket. Now tell me, would you ask your graphics department to go down to the new addition and decide about the kinds of signs the new building will need BEFORE the sheet rock has even been added to the walls?
Yeah, that does sound kind of silly. : ) Not to mention that a contractor will be making most of the signage anyways. That almost deserves a "Bless Your Heart" award. Heehehee
My weekend was very normal this time. Steve and I did put up the Christmas tree, though. It's the first time in two years that I have been able to help with that. Poor Steve almost got electrocuted by a broken bulb, but thankfully he only got the crap shocked out of him. I would say that it was funny, but I hated that it hurt so badly! We got Griswold out of his box in the garage and turned on "Christmas Vacation," which is easily the funniest Christmas movie ever made. Turns out that putting the tree together and decorating it takes exactly as long as the movie lasts! Go us! I'm so glad we have an artificial tree. I've never liked real trees in the house. It seems sort of perverse to me to kill a tree just to bring it into the house for a couple of weeks and watch it fall apart. Also, I like symmetry and real trees hardly ever have that. Of course, I am not what you would call a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas anyways, so I'm sure that my opinion is not shared by many. I can totally dig that.
Saturday was also Butler's 5th birthday! My dog is getting old! We gave him french fries (of course, they are his favorite) and as a party favor, we got a rawhide bone that was about 2 1/2 feet long. Butler didn't seem interested, but Bear decided that he couldn't rest until he'd gnawed it to death. We had to physically remove the dog from the bone, and even then he chewed at the bars of his kennel trying to get at it. It was really strange. We left it outside the next day and Bear spent the whole day chewing it. I'm afraid he isn't going to have any teeth left when he's done.
Sunday was church and lunch with Mom. After evening service, we went to eat with a bunch of people from our church and someone brought Steve's grandma an ice cream cake for her birthday. It wasn't out of the freezer for long when they gave me the task of cutting it. Imagine trying to cut a rock hard wedge of dessert with a plastic knife! The first one snapped and almost blinded me and granma with flying chunks of plastic. Then someone finally handed me a big pocket knife and we sort of got things moving with that. Nelson, the Smartest Man Alive, finally told me how to cut it to where we wouldn't have to wait for the whole thing to thaw and it worked! Yay! Of course, by then I was sticky up to my elbows and had bits of ice cream melting in my lap. Sometimes you'll do crazy things for your Grandma, won't you? Good times, good times.
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