Soooo....

[surfinmuse]

You know them 4th-6th grade teachers, they love their David Benoit and their Dave Koz...... :)

[blueerica]

Planning a trip to go spelunking and space-jumping...

[Prudence]

I'm excited that I found my old passport and terrified that my beloved Boris kitty is at the vet having dental cleaning and tooth extractions. CRF kitties don't do well with anesthetic. I'm so worried.

[Not Afraid]

I STILL have jet lag! I went to read last night about 9, fell asleep for 2 hours, woke up, read some more and couldn't sleep until 3. Woke up again at 5. Went back to sleep then woke up again at 9. ENOUGH! I've never wanted to me "normal" but with sleep, I am craving it.

[surfinmuse]

I hate jet lag! To get back in the sleep sync, my secret weapon is Melatonin, and for the extremely abrupt time-zone shifts, I consider the prescription-only Ambien.

[Not Afraid]

I have some Ambien. I have been trying NOT to take it. I think I'm going to give in. A week of JL is long ehough, no?

[Gn2Dlnd]

I STILL have jet lag! I went to read last night about 9, fell asleep for 2 hours, woke up, read some more and couldn't sleep until 3. Woke up again at 5. Went back to sleep then woke up again at 9. ENOUGH! I've never wanted to me "normal" but with sleep, I am craving it.

Ya know, I've got this book, fairly large, in fact, you could even call it big, like, it's a really big book, ya know what I'm sayin, big! Anyhow, guaranteed sleep inducer. Care to borrow it?

[surfinmuse]

I have some Ambien. I have been trying NOT to take it. I think I'm going to give in. A week of JL is long ehough, no?
Yes I think a week is plenty. Ambien away!

[mousepod]

Ya know, I've got this book, fairly large, in fact, you could even call it big, like, it's a really big book, ya know what I'm sayin, big! Anyhow, guaranteed sleep inducer. Care to borrow it?


Is this the one?

http://www.the-forum.com/books/images/mmmp1.jpg

If so, it's too exciting. It keeps me up all night... ;)

[Gn2Dlnd]

You're using it wrong. You need your beloved to whack you upside the head with it.

Sleeeeeepytiiiime.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Today I'm waiting for Libraryvixen to come spirit me away from work hell into vino heaven.

And I've started reading a sweet book called Over the Hills to Fabylon.

And I've done a little work.

[Not Afraid]

Yeah, I need to be "thinking" at 3 am. I'd rather think when I am not alone in a dangerous neighborhood. ;)

[Gn2Dlnd]

Think, think. Think think think. ThinKrisps!

[Not Afraid]

You are a BAAAD influence. ;)

[Gn2Dlnd]

I'm bad, I'm bad, can't prove it, you know it! WOOO-hooo!

[MerryPrankster]

I'm baking brownies. And getting ready to head over to my nephew's B~day pool party. There will be fifteen 12 year old boys running around and screaming. Yay... the sun came out today! I'm also packing a big cooler of beer and plastic cups so the adults can sneak some adult beverages. http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/grin.gif http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/cocktail4.gif

[Gn2Dlnd]

Ahem.

There will be fifteen 12 year old boys running around and screaming.


I'm bad, I'm bad, can't prove it, you know it! WOOO-hooo!

[Tref]

I am going to attempt to make it through a 24 hour period without wearing pants.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I am going to attempt to make it through a 24 hour period without wearing pants.I'll race you.



That is, until I have to leave for work tomorrow afternoon.

[Baileykat]

I'm presently putting off packing for Bailey!

He's leaving on Sunday morning to go to my parents house in Texas for a week alone....did I mention he was flying...ALONE?

I have yet to experience the anticipated anxiety over this...it's a direct flight...piece of cake right!?

He's totally excited! He's 2 years older than I was when I flew for the first time. I'm sure he'll be fine...it's just get on the plane, sit down, entertain yourself for two hours..get off plane!

I see me having to have some sort of alcoholic beverage on Sunday! :rolleyes:

[Kevy Baby]

I am going to attempt to make it through a 24 hour period without wearing pants.Are you going to wear shorts?

Or maybe a kilt?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Still not wearing pants.

[€uroMeinke]

So I spent yesterday at the park from 7:30 AM till - well 1:00 AM the next day. BUt my brain is still disoriented time zone-wise, I slept in till 12:30. Today will be a Ghibli day, going to the El Cap - and then maybe later I will finish the book that's been in possession of my soul this past week.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I just finished assembling an outdoor propane fueled heater for my sister's graduation party tonight. I love projects like that. I liked the packaging of this one, with all of the nuts and bolts and such in a very well labled blister pack, easy to keep track of and easy to identify. The diagrams in the instructions were slightly lacking, however.

I had a Western Bagel, straight from the Western Bagel Factory on Sepulveda for breakfast. Mmmmm, fresh Western Bagel. Mmmmmmm.

[Prudence]

Got up early enough to head out and renew our passports. Mine was recent enough that I could renew by mail, so I just needed new photos (I was 17 when I got my last one and in my hippy-dippy phase.) Ryan's old one has a picture of him when he was maybe 8. So his was well and thoroughly expired and he had to apply in person. It was super quick. Took less time to request Ryan's new passport in person than it did for me to stand in line at the post office to mail off my renewal.

[Ghoulish Delight]

So the inflatable boxing ring has arrived for the party. My sister and I went out for a test pummeling. Yeah, it's pretty much a guarantee that someone's going to get injured tonight. Excellent. :D

[Kevy Baby]

I just finished assembling an outdoor propane fueled heater for my sister's graduation party tonight. I love projects like that. I liked the packaging of this one, with all of the nuts and bolts and such in a very well labled blister pack, easy to keep track of and easy to identify. The diagrams in the instructions were slightly lacking, however.OK, I'm jealous!

I had a Western Bagel, straight from the Western Bagel Factory on Sepulveda for breakfast. Mmmmm, fresh Western Bagel. Mmmmmmm.Again... jealous!

There used to be a Western Bagel in Tustin (Newport & 1st), not too far from work. They baked the bagels on sight. Recently changed to West Coast Bagel. I guess they taste the same, but some how it just ain't right.

They do carry the Western Bagel Blend coffee though!

[wendybeth]

So....I am so glad to be through this day!

I knew it was gonna be a long one, but all things considered it went really well. This morning, I had to go into work and do a wedding party- I've known the bride since she was Tori's age and she is just a sweetheart. I did her hair and three or four other heads, and then raced off to get Tori ready for her recital across town. She is in a cheerleading/hip hop class, but her teacher is normally a jazz/ballet teacher, and this is her first class of cheer/hip hop. The girls have been extremely put out because they have so many jazz moves in their number, and they didn't think it would be as cool as another class that takes place at the same time as theirs. To be honest, us moms thought the same. As a result, the girls just kind of slogged through their practice and had no real enthusiasm, so we were just hoping that they would all get through this thing and get it over with.

Well, I don't know what happened, but for some reason their whole routine just clicked, for the first time, and the most important time. They all just gave it their best and it was so great! I feel like I owe their teacher a huge apology, but I never expressed my concerns to her, so the next best thing is to enroll Tori in one of her Jazz classes. The 'cool' routine kind of fell flat, and our girl's routine just rocked! I was so relieved for Tori and her friends, because they did such a great job and got a huge applause. I really think dance is going to be Tori's thing. However, basketball could be as well- Eric bought her a hoop for her b-day, and she's really good!

I am so relieved that things went well, and so tired......

Next up- a tenth b-day party and what is shaping up to be a well-populated slumber party. I'll issue reports from the field. Wish me luck.:rolleyes:

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Well, I am employed again, although I've 'technically' been employed it's just been spuratic and not full time - just website work.

I'm back working at a movie theatre again. The theatre I worked at for 12 years, which closed last October has been reopened by another company. I got a call that they were desperate, so I asked for mor $$ and hours, so I got it. I guess it beats office work...

[Kevy Baby]

What theatre?

[surfinmuse]

So.. I gave this Virtual Magic Kingdom a whirl (worked okay on my Mac, i was a skeptic, you know how these things are). This chatty cathy of a "minnie-girl" (name modified to protect the innocent) started chatting me up, somehow it became apparent that I needed to say "I am gay." But of course, the vocabulary restrictions won't have any of that.

So i said, "I am happy."

pregnant pause

"Of course you are. who isn't when they are here at disney? it's the happiest place on earth."

...

[mistyisjafo]

Wow, that's kinda trippy Surfinmuse!!

Meanwhile back at my ranch...
I'm sleepy from sitting out on the beach all day so here I am at the LoT. What a beautiful day in the OC!!

[Prudence]

Went to the 'rents this afternoon to give my dad his father's day present. My brother showed up, too. Each of us, as instructed, bought my dad the exact same sort of jeans. Two gold stars for the Zobrist children today.

Then I got to try on clothes. My mom goes shopping for me on her lunch break. She works in downtown Seattle in the Westlake Tower building, so she's got easy access to the department stores. (Whereas I work in the U-District and have easy access to....head shops.) We're trying to find me cruise clothes. Specifically for formal night. I've got some nice work clothes and decent business casual clothes, but nothing "formal." And I've got entirely the wrong body shape, so it's a challenge.

But so far we have a great gathered black blouse with rhinestone buttons, a set with amazing black silk pants (I'll need to have the front rise shortened 2 inches at least, but that's standard. Curse of the big butt.) and a really distressing "floaty top" (my mom's term) that she loves and I think makes me look like a cafeteria lady. And a dress that actually works off the rack, something I haven't had in so long that I can't even remember my last dress. Seriously. Like at least 5 years.

But my mom likes to stay downstairs while I change upstairs. So it's upstairs, downstairs, upstairs, downstairs. "Can I see that top again with the black pants.?" "Okay, can I see that with the green sweater again?" I feel like I'm in that commercial for the online car shopping. "Can I see it again in red?"

Finished my reading for Monday and Tuesday and started on Thursday. Watched my poor kitty to see how he's doing after having three teeth extracted. Felt generally inadequate.

Oh, and I'm trying to grow something from seed and so far there are 4 whole sprouts. Every plant I've ever tried to take care of died, so we'll see if anything survives.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Got to see my Air Force brother, and will continue to see him a bunch in the next 3 weeks. He looks great. So much fun to have him around for a bit.

Work at the school continues to be non-existant. Can't wait for Thursday. Work at the public job is ok - I've adapted to my slower-paced surroundings.

I'm trying to strengthen my resolve and actually do something worthwhile this summer.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Sooo... The girl working in the Opera House was happily telling people that the reason the Castle walk-through wasn't open anymore was that it had been restored to what it was like on opening day. That the Castle had been enlarged during the '80s, and, for the anniversary, it had been put back to its original size.

:rolleyes:

Yes, I corrected her.

[SacTown Chronic]

She must have been thinking of Mickey's nose on the Partners statue.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Toot, toot, two mints in one!

(mods, please delete one mint)

Tyfsac!

[surfinmuse]

I didn't know where else to share this but here goes..

Scientists see women's brains switch off during sex (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/20/o_research/)

oh yeah, it's work safe, no pictures or anything explicit.

[wendybeth]

Sooo... I spent all of today cleaning and shredding a ****load of accumulated mail. It had reached critical mass, and I simply couldn't take it any more. Between the mail shredded yesterday and the stuff done today, I had five bags of garbage.:rolleyes: A lot of it was old insurance and medical stuff, bank statements and the like, but it is astounding how much had built up.

Tomorrow we are throwing The Girl a tenth b-day party, and I am busily filling gift bags and wrapping. There will be about twelve kids at the main party, which we are holding at our athletic club's pool, then a slumber party for NINE girls. God help me. I'll try to post reports from the field. I only hope not all of them are hormonal.

On a more positive note, we should be getting our WDT stuff pretty soon!!!:D

[MerryPrankster]

Tomorrow we are throwing The Girl a tenth b-day party, and I am busily filling gift bags and wrapping. There will be about twelve kids at the main party, which we are holding at our athletic club's pool, then a slumber party for NINE girls. God help me. I'll try to post reports from the field. I only hope not all of them are hormonal.



I hope you have at least one or two assistants to help. May the force be with you! http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/grin.gif

[wendybeth]

I hope you have at least one or two assistants to help. May the force be with you! http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/grin.gif

Lol- thank you! I'll need it. Is corporeal punishment still out of vogue?;)

[Prudence]

Okay. So I bought a treadmill with my tax return. A good one. One I hope to some day run on. But I had to start walking. I'm fat and asthmatic and each condition is making the other worse in a terrifying spiral of expanding waistline and labored breathing. And at first I could only do 15 minutes. Now I can do up to 45 minutes (at 3 mph), although I had to take a week off for recovery from oral surgery (their orders), then a cold, which dropped me back to 30 minutes again. Although if I'd taken my puffer tonight I probably could have done longer. (Another improvement -- it was 15 minutes with albuterol hits pre and post, now it's 30+ minutes with a bit of wheezing after, but no puffer at all.)

And I know I was getting better, because I hiked all over WDW, all day for 6 days, and barely used my inhaler at all. And wasn't even sore. And hubby was saying my butt was less flabby, and so forth, but the scale wasn't moving. Not at all. In fact, it appeared to go up a few pounds, despite my work. So I stopped weighing myself at all and had trouble motivating myself to keep on the treadmill.

So tonight, on a whim, even though I'm bloated and for some reason ate an enormous dinner, I decided to weigh myself.

And even with the bloating and HUGE meal (and although food has gone in, poo has not yet come out) I was 4 pounds less than I weighed last time after doing everything I could do to lighten the load.

I know that given how far I have to go it's not a huge number. But I swear -- the numbers haven't budged downward in probably 10 years so I'm feeling a bit boastful at the moment.

[BarTopDancer]

Way to go Prudence!!!!!! Boast away! It is a wonderful feeling that is often motivating!!! Please try and remember to go by a combo of how your clothes fit and what the scale says. Just because it hasn't gone down doesn't mean you aren't toning and losing calories!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: (three cheers for you!)

[Ghoulish Delight]

What BTD said. Remember, muscle is significantly denser than fat. So a large amount of fat loss can be quickly "erased" according to your scale by the corresponding muscle gain. But weight isn't what matters, it's body fat percentage, which is sure to have gone down at this point.

This week I've motivated myself to get back on my revolutionary "Eat Less, Move More™" plan. To state that in laymen's terms...I'm eating less and moving more. The money has dried up for clinical trials, but even without the hard data, I'm reasonably confident that I will lose weight that way.

This year's brand of movement...running. Normally because of my asthma, swimming or stationary bike are my most comfortable choices, but they both take up an inordinate amount of time. I love swimming but too easily back out of it when I don't feel like getting into cold water. And the bike gets massively boring, even with a book to read. Running is quick and easy and the scenery constantly changes. Right now, I'm lasting about 10 minutes before the wheezing sets in. But that's a marked improvement from the very slow paced 5 minutes of day one. Any day now I'll be able to get through the entire length of my running route without taking walking breaks.

[Prudence]

My treadmill is extremely compatible with my reality teevee addiction. And thank the powers that be for remotes! I can flip back and forth as my teensy little attention span dictates!

On a completely unrelated note, I just read this pair of sentences in my casebook and it makes me chuckle to myself: "Rejection of the seat belt defense can no longer be based on the antediluvian doctrine that one need not anticipate the negligence of others. There is nothing to anticipate; the negligence of motorists is omnipresent."

I want to be a judge just so I can write stuff like this. (Or have my clerk write stuff like this and put my name on it.)

[CoasterMatt]

"Rejection of the seat belt defense can no longer be based on the antediluvian doctrine that one need not anticipate the negligence of others. There is nothing to anticipate; the negligence of motorists is omnipresent."

I read that, and all I can think of is...

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!

[Kevy Baby]

Between Prudence's post and CoasterMatt's signature* I am reminded of this line from a comedian:

Think about how stupid the average person is. Now realize that half the people are dumber than that!









* For the ancient archiologist who finds this thread buried in some historical discovery, CoasterMatt's signature as of this post is "The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?"

[Kevy Baby]

So I've been seeing bumper stickers lately that say, "Drive Safely; School's Out."

And then we'll see, "Drive Safely, School's Back In Session."

When do I get to drive like a homocidal maniac?

[Ghoulish Delight]

So I just wrote a very long post, then proceded to have it disappear when I ran something that I thought would open a new window, but instead just used the existing IE window. And there's no way I have the energy to recreate that now. Oh well, it's probably for the best as, now that it's gone, I'm having second thoughts about posting it to begin with.

[Prudence]

So. My husband's boss tells him this afternoon that "something came up this week" and he needs to meet with her and the human resources consultant tomorrow afternoon.

WTF?!

That can NOT be good. HRCs do not bring good news. It just doesn't happen.

And he said he didn't want to meet with them unless he could have a union rep present. And she said she could understand why he'd want that. !!!!! She did NOT say "oh, don't worry, it's nothing like that." No, she said she understood why someone in his position would want their union rep present.

!!!!!

Now, here's where it gets weird. She said she was not allowed to tell him what it was about. But we work for the same university. I deal with personnel issues in my position. I have the documentation at my finger tips that says in all disciplinary actions that the supervisor is REQUIRED to present the employee with a pre-meeting memo outlining the topic and informing them of their right to have a union rep present. I even went online to check for sure because some civil service rule reforms are going into effect July 1, and the disciplinary rules have already been updated and they confirm what I just wrote -- notice is required in all disciplinary actions.

So to summarize the facts:

Boss tells him today that he has to meet with her and HRC tomorrow evening.
HRCs only come out to be boss's witnesses/advocates in disciplinary actions and ensure employer's butt is covered.
Tomorrow is a Friday before a 3-day weekend.
Boss tells him she can't disclose the reason for the meeting.
State employment rules state that he must be notified in writing of, at the very least, the right to have a union rep present.
Boss does not provide any such notification.
Boss says she can understand why someone in his position would want a union rep present.

I can't figure out what's going on. Obviously he's being disciplined for something. But why are they not telling him what about? (And by the way, he's been through this before with another position so we're familiar with the process. State gives 12 sick days/year, but university rules say you're only permitted to *use* 9 days/year. So his boss tried to hold a formal counseling, which didn't work because he didn't do the informal counseling first, which is still required with the revised rules as of july 1, 2005.)

The only thing I can think of is that he's being disciplined, possibly terminated, and they've received some waiver so they don't have to tell him in advance because they are afraid he might be violent.

I know it's not good news. Whatever it is is so bad that they aren't even going by the rules and won't tell him what it is. And if he's fired for cause he won't get unemployment, he won't get another comperable job, and I don't know how the hell I'm going to pay the mortgage.

dammitdammitdammit.

[Kevy Baby]

dammitdammitdammit.Oh crap Prudence. This does not sound good. I hope what ever happens works out for the best for you two.

Please keep us posted and let us know how we can help!

[Not Afraid]

Man oh man oh man! I came to this thread to say that my Ob/Gyn said I looked like Minnie Mouse today and I read Prudence's post first. Man oh man oh man!

Well, I do hope that it is one of those situations where you spend lots of time worrying about the worst possible outcomes, but it ends up being not so bad.

Whatever it is, we're here for you.

[Ghoulish Delight]

So now I'm going to have to sleep both with apprehension about poor Prudence's situation AND disturbing thoughts of certain regions of NA to which only her Ob/Gyn and her real husban are privy dressed in red with white polka dots and a bow. Good thing I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, else I mightn't sleep at all.

[CrazyLegs]

LOL Minnie Mouse

[Prudence]

For those of you curious for updates on how the secret meeting went:

HR labelled it an "investigatory" meeting, which allowed them to accomplish the same ends as an official counseling (record in the personnel file, hand slappage, threats if it happens again, etc...) but without going through the requirements of a counseling, such as informing the employee of the subject matter in advance and of their right to representation.

Nice trick.

So, here's their beef:

Someone called and complained that they saw something offensive on his computer screen at work. But they didn't or wouldn't say what it was. And the complainant stated that they specifically told Ryan how offensive his computer viewing habits were.

Ryan has NO idea what they're talking about. No one has complained to him about his computer and he doesn't do much surfing at work anyhow -- just the usual, like when he's stuck on hold and there's no actual work within arm's reach. (He schedules appointments for patients, so sometimes he's on hold with another doc's office or the insurance company for AGES.)

This is so typical. In the past he was written up for:

"A patient says a male employee was rude to him and we know all the other male employees really well and have decided they probably didn't do it so it must have been you, even though we're not even going to ask any of the others if it was them, and we're going to put an official note of reprimand in your file."

So now he's been reprimanded for viewing something on his computer that was considered objectionable by a patient, even though we don't know for sure that it was actually objectionable material -- or that it was even actually Ryan!

AND, he got written up for having his computer screen where patients could see, even though he has NO control over his computer placement. He's shoved into a corner of a u-shaped desk so there's no way for him to position his monitor so that no on else can see it. The whole side is open to the public and he's right up against the wall so he can't face it toward the mouth of the U either.

So, millions of dollars in medicare/medicaid fraud and the UW swears it's all a big misunderstanding, gosh they'll make sure nothing like this ever happens again, proceeds to do nothing substantive, and then surprise, fraud happens again. Meanwhile, all any random nutjob has to do is call the complaint line and say X employee was rude to them, provide no details to allow for confirmation of the veracity of the complaint, and HR takes it as the gospel truth and applies sanctions.

Some day I'm going to take 'em to the cleaners, I am.

Now I'm going to proceed to have a thoroughly festive 4-day weekend, consume many grilled foods, and lounge about indolently.

[wendybeth]

Prudence,
I'm glad that it wasn't the worse case scenario, but it still sounds like they are being awfully pissy, and in such vague ways. Get your law degree, and then go get them!!!!! (What did Ryan's union rep think? Can't they get in trouble for harassment?) Anyway, I've been thinking of you and I'm happy that hubby is still employed, although it sounds like he may need to really watch his back!

For the both of you::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

[Mousey Girl]

I am coming to the end of my 30 days off and have accomplished nothing. I had asked for a 2 week leave, but was denied, so I went out on disability for stress. The disability was denied, so I have been on company initiated leave. This will affect the office attendance, but since they had denied my request they left me with no choice. The Union wants to file a grievance for me, even thought they know I didn't see a doctor...the only reason I can think of is that the cause for my leave was harassment by my manager and they want to get it all documented.

On a side note, it looks like we may have company for the 4th so I have been doing some random cleaning...it is amazing how big my kitchen looks when the counters are clutter-free. Even Nickolas has been helping, he just got done cleaning and wiping the kitchen table.

David is taking a nap. It is over 100 today and he was outside working on his various projects. He is deep-pitting tomorrow night so our redneck BBQ for the 4th is:
Deep-pit ham (2 diff preps for 2 diff hams)
deep-pit beef (not sure what he is going to do with it)
BBQ linguisa
BBQ chicken breasts
garlic bread (with my special cheesy garlic butter)
beans
some sort of veggie
some sort of salad
apple crisp and icecream for dessert

I haven't done any baking for a while so this is a treat for David & Boy.
We are getting together with the people across the street-their son is 8 and I work with the mom. I alos invited a couple of my Chuy's friends that don't have kids and no where to go. It should be fun and it got me off my ass.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm out of paper for my printer. Would somebody please fax some over to me?

[wendybeth]

Hey, we're out of ink! (Got loads of paper, though)

[Kevy Baby]

I'll fax you ink if you'll fax me some paper

[wendybeth]

Sure, KB! Hang on...just a minute...doh!


Fax machine is broke.*

Sorry!




*It really is- it's a piece of crap Epson Stylus 4/1 that we bought last year.:rolleyes:

[Prudence]

Wahoo! Just checked my school email and I got the award (http://www2.cali.org/index.php?fuseaction=excellenceawards.ViewOneAward&awardid=1164e180) for the highest grade in my contracts class spring semester. What's funny is that the guy who got it for contracts in the fall got it for civpro this spring. (I got the civpro award in the fall.) I guess we know who each other's competition is!

[MickeyLumbo]

Soooo....





where does a hungry Guest go to get a quick bite with a discount at the DLR?

well, the Inn Between of course.

Today, a man walked backstage from the Plaza Inn/Star Tours gate and enters the Inn Between. He orders food, pays and sits down to enjoy his meal. A CM soon joins him at the table that happens to be a Security Host. After some small talk, the SCM realizes that this is a Guest. After back-up arrives an argument begins when the Guest refuses to leave. Anaheim PD is called in and they respond with telling the Guest he is under arrest. The Guest becomes beligerent and puts up a struggle...before he can be handcuffed - his pants come off.

now you tell me where you can get a quick tuna melt and a floor show for $2.50

:cheers:

[Ghoulish Delight]

His pants came off? Man, Anaheim PD must be pretty hard up.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Congrats to Prudence...and that guy that snuck in to the Inn Between. :evil:

[Ghoulish Delight]

On second read...Lickey, you wouldn't have had anything to do with the depantsing, now would you?

[AllyOops!]

now you tell me where you can get a quick tuna melt and a floor show for $2.50

:cheers:

Bob's Classy Lady in Van Nuys?


:D ;) :p

[Kevy Baby]

Soooo....

Does anyone have any tips for removing blood stains?

Also: any suggestions on a good place to dump a body?

[MickeyLumbo]

how big is it? er, the body, i mean.

[wendybeth]

Oh, dear.

Kevy's bored again.

(sigh). KB, Oxyclean works wonders on stains, but you Fabreeze to eliminate the stench. Or, so I've been told.:rolleyes:

Concrete's a bit expensive these days, so I'd go with asphalt. Takes a while to set up, but here in Spokane it takes years before you have to worry about any bothersome road repairs, etc. Heck, they just unnearthed a body under one of our main drags- it's been so long since they've resurfaced that road that everyone assumed it was an early pioneer.


Fools.:evil:;)

[Prudence]

Three words:

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Because everyone needs a metallic periwinkle leather jacket. It was only $98!

[Kevy Baby]

Sooooo....

Doesn't anybody have anything to say in here any more?

[wendybeth]

Ya know, I was thinking of posting here this past weekend, but I was covered in taupe paint most of the time. I took some pics of my paint project, and will post before/after pics. Might I say that vaulted ceilings suck? And that I suck at painting them?

[Prudence]

I think the thought of my purple leather jacket has everyone stunned.

I know I'm stunned.

Actually, I'm closer to stoned at the moment. Dental appointment. Finally got my replacement crown (yay) and my giant, cracked filling replaced (yay), but the anesthetic wore off part way through the filling and then it hurt LOTS because it was so deep. And then I had to pee. And then I had to wait outside the one bathroom with the dental dam in place, doing the pee-pee dance, while some old bat replaced her facial spackle. And then they made my tooth hurt more.

But Ryan bought me pudding because I can't chew tonight. Pudding. I love pudding.

[Not Afraid]

Soooooo.....I wanna hear what taupe paint WB used.

I have various shades of paint taped to my walls at the moment. The Hallway will be first victim of the brush. I'm thinking something fun but not too bright. I use the hallway as a "gallery" for mostly Disney prints and other assorted schtuff. I was thinking a Tomorrowland Blue, but I think it will be too bright - especially next to the vermillion dining room. So, I'm all about paint lately.

[MickeyLumbo]

soooo, work kicked my azz today.

so many are quiting or getting fired for excessive points and we are STILL busy as heck.

soon, i will be the sole survivor of my class. if i can hang in there. it ain't easy.

[wendybeth]

It's a really light taupe- our house has an open floor plan, so all the colors need to complement each other, as they run into each other rather abruptly. The room next to the hallway/entryway is a sage green, and our family room is ecru.

[CoasterMatt]

soooo, work kicked my azz today.

so many are quiting or getting fired for excessive points and we are STILL busy as heck.

soon, i will be the sole survivor of my class. if i can hang in there. it ain't easy.
That all sounds really familiar- but I'm already the last man standing from my class... :eek:

[Not Afraid]

Colors sound great, WB!

Soooooo, today I went to the Post Office to mail some goodies. One was in a tube and had to be passed to the postal worker through the "big vault". (This PO has apparently bullet proof glass and vaults which can only be opened one side at a time.)

Sooooo, I went to walk over to the "big vault" and tripped over the padded mat they had in front of the next window. I literally went airborn, ran into another customer and ended up with my feet miraculously on the ground. I did the little running thing to keep myself upright and did not end up on the ground. Nice feat for someone as klutzy as I can be.

Anyways, about 2 hours ago my body started aching. Now, it out and out HURTS! Nice.

The sad part is, the postal guy didn't seem one tiny bit concerned about me. Bastard.

[MickeyLumbo]

ouch!

free postage for life?

hope you are ok!

[Not Afraid]

I'll be fine. I'm just old. I have a Chiropractor/Massage appointment. Good timing, huh?

[Mousey Girl]

I am trying to figure out my new employment status (or lack there of) to David. I have been trying to prepare him for this reality for a while, but he never seemed to understand how bad work was getting. In the last 2 weeks alone no fewer than 5 people have been escorted from the building for verious offenses. Over 2/3s of the office are on some sort of disciplinary step for 1 thing or another. I have been in trouble for a year. In the last 2 months things went from bad to worse. I found out this morning that I was observed on Monday. I left 1 sentence out of my talk with the customer. Since this was not my first infraction, even though it is different from my other infraction, I will be escorted from the building the next time I report to work. After I found this out I had a panic attack and left. I will be staying out on disability for stress for as long as possible to continue collecting a paycheck. I will then go to the unemployment dept and start taking computer/data entry type classes. I have been giving this a lot of thought since I knew it was going to happen. *sigh* It still sucks though. At the same time I am relieved to be out of there. Things are getting really nasty, and walking into a job, knowing that every day could be my last was wearing me out.

[SacTown Chronic]

Corporate America sucks big hairy monkey balls.

[Gn2Dlnd]

I left 1 sentence out of my talk with the customer. Since this was not my first infraction, even though it is different from my other infraction, I will be escorted from the building the next time I report to work.


WTF???!!! You work for evil fvcks, leave them and get a job at Starbucks or ANYTHING! And sue their asses on the way out for employee intimidation or whatever else you can come up with. What a bunch of sh!theads. Good luck and good riddance to bad rubbish.

[Mousey Girl]

One of my co-workers has a son who went to Pepperdine. They had some corperate speakers during one of their job fair thingys. One speaker talked about the best companies to work for and then the worst. SBC topped the list of the worst companies to work for. I will miss the pay ($25/hr) and my co-workers, but not the job itself. The sentance I missed was one asking non-published (not listed in phone book for 411) customers permission to telemarket them.

I was hoping to stick it out until the end of the year when the rumor mill says our office will close (so I could get the buy-out), but, alas, twas not meant to be.

I have said it all along, I LOVE the customer service aspect of the job, but HATE the sales and the forcing sales down people's throats. I just don't have the heart to offer some poor old lady caller id when she has told me she is eating cat food until her SSI check comes (and yes, this has happened).

I can easily go back to retail, but for now I get to be a Mommy (with a capital M) again, and that is my favorite job of all.

[MickeyLumbo]

I'll be fine. I'm just old. I have a Chiropractor/Massage appointment. Good timing, huh?


with Tarzan?


bytch:D

[MickeyLumbo]

Corporate America sucks big hairy monkey balls.

after a couple cocktails, i'd... oh, who am i kidding, after a diet coke!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Onward and upward, Mousey Girl. That company deserves none of your abilities. You'll find jobs with equal perks that don't involve evil bureaucracy...or at least, have less evil bureaucracy. :)

[Mousey Girl]

Thank you all for the good thoughts. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason.

David listened to me, took it all in, patted my shoulder, rubbed my back and went next door. Our next door neighbor is a really good friend, he is older and David looks up to him and values his advice and opinions. I gave them some time to talk and then I went over. Sure enough he had talked to Karl about it. Karl has also been aware of the things that have been going on in my office. I am glad David has someone to talk to.

When David got back home he was not upset at all. He knows that I have not ever been truly happy at SBC and that things had gotten really bad in the last year. I think this will take a lot of stress off of me (and our marriage). We will get through this and be stronger for it.

Nickolas was worried, but now he seems ok with it (unfortunaty he saw me cry this morning). He just thinks (in his 8 yr old brain) that now we will have the time to do stuff that I had been letting go (like cleaning out his room). Because of the stress I was under I didn't sleep more than an hour or 2 a night during the week. By the time the weekend came I would pretty much sleep right through it.

When one door closes another opens, so it is off to bigger and better things for me!!!

[Kevy Baby]

That all sounds really familiar- but I'm already the last man standing from my class... :eek:I fully understand. I have no class.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I agree MG, they don't deserve you. I had a minor experiance with "Corporate America" with a company called CountryWide. It made me sick to go into work every day. Apparently the sun only rises for those in higher positions.

[wendybeth]

I am trying to figure out my new employment status (or lack there of) to David. I have been trying to prepare him for this reality for a while, but he never seemed to understand how bad work was getting. In the last 2 weeks alone no fewer than 5 people have been escorted from the building for verious offenses. Over 2/3s of the office are on some sort of disciplinary step for 1 thing or another. I have been in trouble for a year. In the last 2 months things went from bad to worse. I found out this morning that I was observed on Monday. I left 1 sentence out of my talk with the customer. Since this was not my first infraction, even though it is different from my other infraction, I will be escorted from the building the next time I report to work. After I found this out I had a panic attack and left. I will be staying out on disability for stress for as long as possible to continue collecting a paycheck. I will then go to the unemployment dept and start taking computer/data entry type classes. I have been giving this a lot of thought since I knew it was going to happen. *sigh* It still sucks though. At the same time I am relieved to be out of there. Things are getting really nasty, and walking into a job, knowing that every day could be my last was wearing me out.

What ? You left a whole sentence out of your spiel? I'm surprised you weren't flogged! Really, employees these days...;)

MG- I can't believe you made it this far. I'd of gone postal on their asses long ago. NO JOB is worth that kind of stress- none! Eric used to work for a similar type of corporate culture, and the only reason he stayed was for the benefits. Now he is working for the kind of company you never hear of anymore- they take the best care of their employees, and I couldn't be more impressed. One of his co-workers was killed in a car wreck this weekend, and the company had a grief counselor on site the next day, and is flying in a team to take everyone's place at work while they take the day off for the poor guy's funeral. This kid had only worked at the company one year, and yet the company is so concerned about his co-workers and family that they are going to great lengths to help out. (And, no, he didn't die on company time). There are good jobs and good companies out there- you just have to find the right one. Hang in there!

[Ghoulish Delight]

So I figured when a drink at a Mexican restaurant says "Limit two per customer" next to it...ya' gotta order it. And I did.

Imagine a margarita glass, filled with booze and some vague fruit flavored mixer on the rocks...only it's a 48oz margarita of booze and vague fruit flavored mixer on the rocks!! Limit 2 per custome indeed. Forget the amount of alcohol that would entail, I was barely able to consume the amount of liquid in one of those things, forget about 2...or more. But my was it a pleasing amount of alcohol. And dirt cheap. We forgot to actually look at the price (we were paying with a gift card, so we didn't scrutenize the bill), but from the total and knowing the price of our entrees, this thing was at MOST $12, and I think it was less than that.

Of course, I knew even before I got the drink that it was a good bar. The restaurant itself was filled with nothing but old white people (plus us). But we were sat in the corner near the bar...which was populated entirely by very loud and very drunk hispanics. Definitely a good sign for the beverage quality.

[blueerica]

Sounds like fun!

MG -- I can hardly believe a situation in which an "infraction" such as not saying a line in a spiel could ever end up with being "escorted" from the building. WTF?!?! :(

I don't know how you've lasted there so long.

[scaeagles]

So...it's a boring day at work today, as it's been for the last couple weeks, and I'm trying to figure out what kind of mischief I can cause today, either for my family or on this board. Ideas?

[alphabassettgrrl]

Bob's Classy Lady in Van Nuys?
Not for $2.50

[Not Afraid]

MG. I am still shocked into silence about the practices of your former company. It is wrong on so many levels!

I'm glad you are outta there. That kind of compant doesn't deserve someone as qualified and personable as you.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So...it's a boring day at work today, as it's been for the last couple weeks, and I'm trying to figure out what kind of mischief I can cause today, either for my family or on this board. Ideas?Just don't forget any lines of your spiel, that's far too dangerous.

[scaeagles]

Just don't forget any lines of your spiel, that's far too dangerous.

Speaking of dangerous....one of those 48 oz margs sounds like it might be a good start to mischief making.

[Prudence]

So I'm at home, making hubby's iPod talk to his computer again. (He's too impatient to read instructions.) And then I glance through his playlist.

What kind of person includes Slayer and Captain and Teneille on the same damn iPod? :eek:

I'm sure this violates some sort of local ordinance.

[mousepod]

Reign in Muskrat Blood

[blueerica]

Speaking of dangerous....one of those 48 oz margs sounds like it might be a good start to mischief making.

Oh yeah!

What kind of person includes Slayer and Captain and Teneille on the same damn iPod?

Hey, you should see my iPod. Positively shocking :eek: :eek: :eek:

[CoasterMatt]

I've got N.W.A. and Olivia Newton John combined into one SONG!

:D

[Mousey Girl]

I have already removed 2 huge trash bags of crap from Nick's room. I will have at least 1 more before I am done. So... I am cleaning his room and not enjoying the feeling of one of my teeth falling apart-picking both tooth and filling bits off of my toungue. So far no pain, but I know it will be next.

*sigh* it is gonna be a longgggg weekend. :(

[Mousey Girl]

*whew* David already took 3 huge bags of toys to Goodwill. There are now 2 more, plus a toy box. Why is it you seem to have to make a mess to clean a mess? Once the toy box is out of his room I cam vaccuum and then start moving his furniture around. Nickolas has been great though, not a single whine about wanting to keep something I have tossed. He is just getting excited about getting his room back. I am still trying to figure out how it got so bad in the first place.

[Prudence]

Soooo....I'm totally wigging out. I stress out before every exam, but breaking out in tears isn't normally amongst the symptoms; usually it's just a generalized bitchiness. But not today. Ohhh nooo. Today we have the full on panic -- tears, heart palpitations, and I had great trouble sleeping last night so I'm operating on only a few hours' restless sleep. So the boss sent me home to chill. I'm feeling a bit better, as I've had time to review the material again. (Last night I hit the point where suddenly I couldn't remember anything.) I have to go back to work in about an hour though. Stupid late night exams -- 6:30-10 pm. Why are they giving us an extra half hour?!? I don't want an extra half hour! I want us all to have 3 hours max and let the chips fall where they may.

But at 10pm tonight I'll officially be done with my first year.

[Baileykat]

Sooooo...I've been a little MIA from the Lounge lately...seems life has happened again!

About a month ago, a week before my trip to Texas, my husband made a huge decision to leave his job...without having another one in place. It was a mutual decision with his boss on board and we did get a rather large settlement. So it was a good thing.

We're now waiting to hear on several job offers back in Texas but the big thing we're really waiting on is financing for our own restaraunt. It's a small steak house, in the town next to my home town..I never ever thought I consider living in my home town again...but it really looks like it might happen.

The horrible part is living in limbo like we are right now...do I start packing, wait to pack, school is undecided right now...do we start them here in Arizona only to pull them out in a week or two...or do we put all we have into the restaraunt buying option and the kids and I "GASP" live with my parents for a month or so till we buy a house!

Wow! Too much for my feeble brain to handle!!!!

[Stan4dSteph]

I had my midyear review at work last Friday. I was told that my work is fine, no problems. However, my boss told me I might want to "tone it down" a little as far as my humor is concerned. I think she's paranoid I'm going to say some sort of inappropriate sarcastic remark during a meeting or something. In contrast, I was also told to act happier. WTF? Be less funny, but happier? Fvck that!

[Prudence]

Soooo....I'm officially a 2L now! I survived the first year!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I had my midyear review at work last Friday. I was told that my work is fine, no problems. However, my boss told me I might want to "tone it down" a little as far as my humor is concerned. I think she's paranoid I'm going to say some sort of inappropriate sarcastic remark during a meeting or something. In contrast, I was also told to act happier. WTF? Be less funny, but happier? Fvck that!You should have said "Sure, of COURSE I'll follow that advice, that's the BEST ADVICE I've had in a while. Why didn't I THINK OF THAT?" (don't forget to :rolleyes:) ;)

[Not Afraid]

Steph, all you can do is say....."I will do my best" and then go from there.

[Mousey Girl]

I went to the dentist today, I am not losing a filling, but a tooth is crumbling, in desperate need of a root canal. Now I have to wait for my insurance to approve it. At least I know what is going on so I can deal with it.

I am also 75% finished with Nickolas's room!!!

[Stan4dSteph]

Soooo....I'm officially a 2L now! I survived the first year!Hooray! I have no idea what that means, but hooray!

[Prudence]

Hooray! I have no idea what that means, but hooray!

Law schools are traditionally 3-year programs and the first years are called 1Ls and so forth. So now I'm a second-year student -- and 1/3 of the way through.

And Mousey Girl: I can't believe you have to get prior authorization for a root canal! Dang! I hope that comes through soon!

[blueerica]

Well, technically, you don't have to wait for prior authorization, but it'll give you a better idea if and what your insurance will cover you. That being said, there's usually a nasty little disclaimer that says "This pre-auth doesn't mean this is what we'll pay, if at all... it's just an estimate."

Insurance is great if you have it, sucks to deal with anyway.. ;)

[Prudence]

Ah. It's always been a moot point with me because mine maxes out at $1500/year and once you've done the root canal, buildup, and crown, you're guaranteed to be WELL beyond that, so it doesn't matter what percentage they cover.

[Not Afraid]

My two recent root canals were covered except for a $20 co-pay apiece. I thought this was extremly generous for an insurance that doesn't seem to cover a whole lot.

[Kevy Baby]

My two recent root canals were covered except for a $20 co-pay apiece. I thought this was extremly generous for an insurance that doesn't seem to cover a whole lot.So odd to have "good news" about a root canal (except for "its done" or "you don't need one").

[Mousey Girl]

The dentist said it could take up to 4-6 weeks. They offered to do a pulpectomy, but I declined. It hasn't been bothering me much at all. I just hope I can get it taken care of before I am officially fired, otherwise I won't have the insurance at all.

On a side note, I got Nick's furniture moved around and only have some minor things left to do. I was up all night folding laundry...I had forgotten I had a couch in the living room. That kid has a whole lot of clothes, no need for school shopping!!

[Kevy Baby]

OK, this may not be the place for this, but I didn't want to start a thread just for this. But I needed to vent a bit. Please don't read this post. It sucks.

I just found out yesterday that a friend committed suicide. Admittedly, he was not a close friend (since it was two weeks ago), but he was a friend none-the-less. He took care of the computers in our office; first when he worked for a large company, and then again later when he was on his own. Smart guy, friendly, but I could tell he carried a lot of anger (though I never saw it directly).

After his suicide, I found out that he had confessed to my boss that he felt this way (boss is not the first person I would want to rely on for emotional support, but at least he tried). Boss set him up with an appointment with a therapist on his nickle - not clear if he ever made or not though.

I guess his family had no idea about his thoughts. The only person that he told boss that kept him going was his Mom. I'm not sure what changed in the end - why Mom wasn't enough.

I guess his last couple of days were pretty ugly. As I heard it, he came home drunk and got into it with the neighbors. Police were called and he got violent. They had to Tazer him and beat him to subdue him, and he was arrested for resisting arrest.

Mom got him out on $50,000 bail (cost her $5,000 which she let him know pissed her off). When he came home, I guess he got into it with everyone at home. I guess that was the last straw for him as he went up to his room and hanged himself.

Stupid dumbshiit used a permanent solution for a temporary problem.

At first I was in shock. I was pretty useless for the rest of the day. But then later, I was pissed. What a selfish act. To hurt all those around you like he did.

I did a little digging around on the net (I was desparate for anything to find solace in) and found a board that he was a frequent poster on (not unlike this one - they even use vBulletin - but dedicated to a much different topic). Guess he butted heads with some and was known for his anger. But he had many friends. There was a tribute thread to him with pictures and people expressing their thoughts. One person must have made some pretty crappy comments as I saw one deleted post (text removed) a warning and then another post with the text deleted and I noticed that their title was "banned." Oh well. Sadly, this board had TWO tribute threads to members that had committed suicide within a day of each other.

I also saw that he designed a couple of web sites for a couple of hard-core metal bands. Each site a front page blurb about him.

I've been down the suicide road. Attempted (lamely) a couple of times in the earlier part of my life. I know the pain. I know the desire to find whatever it takes to make it go away. I know the hopelessness of KNOWING that things will never be better. It kills me to know that someone like him had to endure this to the point he did.

Why does this society allow people to get to this point? Of course I keep asking myself what I could have done to prevent this (as have my boss and coworker and I am sure just about everyone else in his life). But I know all too well that ultimately, free will reins. We can be there, offer our help, give our love, extend hope. But ultimately, the person has to want to live. Has to want to find a way out. It is a lot harder to fix things than to hide. Drugs, alcohol, destructive behavior, suicide - they are all the easier way out. But as with most things that are the easy way out - the end result sucks.

So, my friend is dead. There isn't a fvckin thing I can do about it. All I have left is my pain. Someday, I will forgive him for what he did. Today I cannot.

[MickeyLumbo]

i am so blessed to have you as a friend in my life, Kevin.

almost exactly a year ago, you intervened and helped save my life.

you were there unconditionally.

i am sorry that you are hurting tonight.

[blueerica]

Kevy -- /hugs

I think each time and each situation is tough. It sounds like you've got your feet in reality, but it hurts none-the-less. You have helped many people on so many levels, just know that everything does count, and counts every day. :)

[wendybeth]

I have a lot I would like to say, as I have had some experience in this area, but I'll keep it short and sweet. You are a great guy, KB, and great friend. I understand your anger, and your heartbreak as well.

((((((Big hug)))))

[libraryvixen]

Kevy... *hugs* I'm thinking of you.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'm very sorry for you situation KB. The mind is such a personal place, sometimes you just can't say or understand what is happening, no matter if it were a stranger or your best friend. People are suicidel for a reason and although we try, there's no way truly understand fully. Maybe it was just about peace, I don't know. I do know you would have been there for him had he needed you KB. Sometimes that has to be enough for everyone.

[MickeyLumbo]

sooo... my mother told me that things never stay the same. there is constant change in life.

sometimes it is tough ...like losing my manager yesterday. a manager that i really loved, who was a positive role model and very supportive as i learned my new job.

sometimes it's kinda cool ...like when i found out who my new manager will be, one out of six that would have been my very first choice! and then, to my surprise, i was called into the v-p's office:

in what may have taken up to 5 years to achieve, i was offered a permanent full-time position. and considering my situation just 12 months ago, i am very pleased. (yes, i accepted)

[€uroMeinke]

Something must be in the air today

The super-secret reorg that everyone already knew about was finally announced today. Next month, I'll be part of the organization I came from 5 years ago, working with the same people. I like the folks I will be with, but I can't help but think I'm devolving returning to this org. So much is beyond my control, and yet I'm having a hard time letting go, even though I had a sense that this was where I was heading - at least for today anyway. I'm curious to see just how things end up - there are so many things both good and bad that could come from this. I'm hoping the good ones will win.

[SacTown Chronic]

in what may have taken up to 5 years to achieve, i was offered a permanent full-time position. and considering my situation just 12 months ago, i am very pleased. (yes, i accepted)
Sweet! Well done, ML.

[BigDaddyKyle]

Checking out LoT. My new family!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yay MickeyLumbo!!! :snap: :snap: :snap:

[wendybeth]

Yaaay, Mickey!
GL, €uro!
Hi, Kyle!

[Kevy Baby]

in what may have taken up to 5 years to achieve, i was offered a permanent full-time position. and considering my situation just 12 months ago, i am very pleased. (yes, i accepted)Well done hot stuff! You have come a very long way in 12 months! Susan and I are very proud of you and very happy for you!
_______________________

On a completely separate note, Susan ex-half-step sister (I'm not making that up either!) recently moved to California from Nuevo Mexico. Decided to get a job at Disneyland - thought maybe her waitressing experience would come in handy. During her interview experience, they learned that she had 4-star restaurant experience.

"Would you like to work at Club 33?"

"Um, sure."

"Do you know what club 33 is?"

"No"

She is something like a waiter/waitress assistant (don't know the proper terminology). She's been working six days a week. since she started a couple of weeks ago. I asked her Dad (my father in law) when she could get us in. He's not sure how SHE got in :D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I asked her Dad (my father in law) when she could get us in. He's not sure how SHE got in :DSo awesome! Club 33 is a special treat, hope you guys get the invite from her soon!

[Gn2Dlnd]

"'Eating greens is a special treat, It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is awful stuff to eat.' I made that last part up myself." :D

[Motorboat Cruiser]

in what may have taken up to 5 years to achieve, i was offered a permanent full-time position. and considering my situation just 12 months ago, i am very pleased. (yes, i accepted)

MickeyLumbo, that is absolutely terrific news! :) We both couldn't be happier for you. Good job!

[wendybeth]

Soooo.... The Girl came down with what appeared to be an eye infection Sunday night, after we returned from Silverwood theme park. A bit later that night she sprung a fever of 102, which came down quickly with Tylenol and cold compresses, so I wasn't too worried. The eye looked less gunky the next day, and she sounded stuffy, so I thought it was just a cold and didn't take her in to the doc. (She HATES going, so I only go if absolutely necessary). Today the eye was still bloodshot, so I told her we were going in and to my surprise she didn't object. By the time of her appointment, her ear had started hurting like hell and the fever was back.

Two hours and four prescriptions later, we exited the doc's. Turns out she has a double ear infection, sinus infection, conjunctivitis and the beginning of what appears to be bronchitis, which she has never had before. Actually, the doc (a new one) asked if she had asthma, because she sounded so wheezy when he listened to her breathe. So, he gave her an inhaler, a strong antibiotic, antibiotic eye drops and codeine with promethizine. Our house looks like a frikken pharmacy! She will basically be taking meds or getting eyedrops all hours of the day and night, but I am so glad he caught it and was so thorough. She wasn't acting any sicker than she has with past colds, and it was concern for the eye that made me take her in. Poor kid- her Grandma ordered her the American Girl Marisol doll with a rush shipment as a surprise to perk her up. God bless Grandma's.:)

[Not Afraid]

OMG! Poor T! Give her a big hug from me and tell her I can't wait to go shopping with her when the new AG Place opens up in LA.

[wendybeth]

I will, and thanks! She may end up owning everything from there before long....:rolleyes:

[Mousey Girl]

Well...today is the day that I find out if I am officially fired. As soon as I got the letter from the disability dept I had tummy problems and stopped sleeping. I know I will not be working tomorrow-due to going out on disability.

The Fri before last I met one of my few close friends at Chuy's. I got there at 8 and the place was dead. We were the only 2 on the "Regular's" side of the patio. Who should walk by on her way to the bathroom but our floor supervisor (this is my manager's boss). From what my friend told me later, my manager showed up at work the next day (she wasn't schedualed to have been there) and started quizzing my friend about our outing. Marcia (supervisor) could not wait to tell Kristy (manager) that I was out on the town. Now if I had an employee out on disability and I saw them out I would at least go up and ask how they were. Not Marcia. She litterally flipped her hair and stomped off after spotting me. Also from all reports from my sources Kristy has been fishing for info about me (instead of just calling me herself) and getting really defensive when asked if i was fired.

Today should be very interesting. My tummy is already in knots. Gawd, I hate that place.

I have decided that if I am not fired yet (I know it is coming eventually) I will just bank the difference between what unemployment pays and the actual paycheck. We already have a cusion in the bank, but this way it is padded even more.

*sigh* Gonna be a longgggggg day.


ooooo almost forgot. The Boy, having started school Monday, is upset that he has to go to day care after school today asked, "Mom, what time are you going to be fired Wed?" That way if I am home when school gets out he can walk home.

[Prudence]

So....

Saturday I went to my law review orientation. And the people there were nice. Really nice. "Tell us what we can do to help but in the meantime let's go have a beer" nice. I don't know what I was expecting -- maybe super serious, focused, hard-edged, crawling their way to the top and stomping on the peasants below. But no, they were super nice.

My primary editor for my article? Super super nice. Already answered my first panicked email in a sweet and funny way. I am so happy! Okay, I haven't had to do any of the real work yet, but I'm so happy they're nice.

Meanwhile, I do need a topic by the 12th. Something that's not been published yet. Some new take on an issue. Urg.

[UvaGirl]

Sooo...it's Wednesday. I spent all of yesterday thinking it was Wednesday, so it feels like deja vu. In my usual irresponsible way I have spent too much money, and now have to survive for another 6 days on not very much cash. Grrrrr:rolleyes: So not good for my social life. Ah well. It will be good for me. I'll amuse myself cheaply and creatively....

[mistyisjafo]

I feel your pain Uva. I'm currently broke. Well I have a savings but I can't spend it. To top it off, the last two weeks of work have been incredibly DULL!!!

[Kevy Baby]

Sooo...it's Wednesday.Ya threw me for a sec. I'm like "It's not Wednesday; it's only Tuesday!!!"

Stupid International Date Line!

[Ghoulish Delight]

So...I've dodged a bullet.

It's 4:00 Friday before a 3 day weekend. Generally, I can expect to start inching out the door at about 2:30 before such a weekend. But we made the mistake last night of finding a problem with a critical product. How critical? Well, within 5 minutes of the email going out, there appeared my my manager, his director, a couple other managers, and a VP in the test lab. Suffice it to say, I didn't exactly leave at 5 yesterday.

So here we are today, having put in a lot of work yesterday to characterize the problem. I'm thinking perhaps all is still well for leaving by 3 (which is when the email from the CEO says to leave on holiday weekend Fridays). But then I get a meeting notice from 2-3. Not a good sign. I get to the meeting. Remember there was "a VP" in the lab yesterday? Well, at this meeting was "the VP", as in the senior VP of our entire division. Lordy. So it was immediately apparant that 3 was out of the quesiton, 5 might even be a challenge.

But here comes the bullet...and email titled "Weekend support". :eek:

Fortunately, I didn't get tagged to be on call for the weekend. Phew.

So...I'm waiting for something to install so I can get the last automated test I need to start running so I can maybe get out of here by 5. Maybe.

[Prudence]

So, Prudence, what did you do for fun today?

Oh, first I started off with a 7:50 dentist appointment to get the last scheduled filling done. Whee! And then topped that off with a 1:15 MRI. The day just gets better! Meanwhile, my boss gave everyone else an early holiday and took the day off herself. Leaving me here. To cover for everyone. Isn't she the best?

Gah. Definitely a McDoDo's night.

[Ghoulish Delight]

*WHOOSH* The sound of 5:00 rushing by.

[Prudence]

There are two orange kitties that hang around our complex. They appear to be a pair -- maybe siblings or parent/offspring. The slightly larger one is really skittish and I haven't officially "met" him yet. In fact, I've only seen him twice now. But the tiny orange kitty is super friendly. I think it's a she. She is so sweet and friendly.

And starving.

We've been feeding her off and on, but I wasn't really sure if she was a stray or not. And I haven't seen her in a few weeks. But I just saw her today and she's starving. If the cat, when viewed from above, looks like an I with jutting out pelvic bone and shoulder blades and then a teeny spine with visible ribs -- the cat is starving. She's too active to be skinny from illness. If someone DOES own her, they damn well aren't taking care of her.

So we are. I can't bring her inside since Sashapants goes ballistic if I even come close to her after petting orange kitty. Mild manner scaredy-pants turns into hissing, aggressive hellion. Not going to work. But I'm feeding and watering her outside.

Today, as soon as she saw me, she set up this howl so loud my husband could hear it in the garage. She was so skinny -- I took one look at her and RAN for the cat food. Oh it just makes me sick. She's too friendly to have been feral. She was someone's pet once. She keeps trying to come inside, so she's probably used to that. I've been seeing her off and on (but not in this state!) for over a year, and we've had lots of people in the complex take advantage of the housing market and sell their condos for significant profits. I'll bet she used to belong to someone and they left without her. We live amongst wetlands and have rodent problems, so it's possible she's been eating that way. I don't know.

But we'll feed her. And maybe other orange kitty will be encouraged to be more friendly. Even if I can't save both, I'll at least save the one. I'm trying to find a good home for her before winter. My mom's current cat (that, by the way, she adopted the same way -- clearly former indoor pet, clearly starving, fed and adopted and has never wanted to go outside since) is in much more advanced renal failure than my Boris and they have plenty of space for another cat. And she's as much of a softy for cats as I am, so maybe it will work.

In the meantime, I'll feed her outside.

[Not Afraid]

Poor babies!!!!

Most orange tabbys are male. (Just as most calicos are female). I wonder if both have been neutred. I sure hope, if your Mom will take the friendly one, that you can trap the skittish one. They need to be tested, given shots and neutred - especiallt if they're going to be outside. Orange Tabbys are usually pretty friendly and will come around over time.

Good luck! My My Big Orange Boy, Jack sends his good wishes for his brothers.

[Prudence]

I know most orange tabbies are male, but I'm pretty sure this one is female. (Which makes her even more special!) The other one is bigger and darker and I'm guessing male, but I haven't been close enough to check. My brother has a female orange tabby called "Blossom" who has more GI distress than any cat I've ever known. We are planning to trap both, if we can, and do the whole vet thing. But I want to have a home for them before I do that -- no point in getting them tested if they're just going to stay outside and catch something. If my mom takes one or both they'll end up being inside only.

Right now their names are ORange Kitty of Doom and Other Orange Kitty. OKD came running for her food this morning. I swear she looks fatter just overnight. (Still super skinny, though!) She's so friendly. Just lets you hold her any which way.

[Kevy Baby]

Soooo...

Speaking of kitties, is there anything more disgusting than discovering where your cat barfed with your bare feet? It gets all squished up between your toes and you have to hop on one leg to the bathroom to clean it off.

[€uroMeinke]

So it's after midnight and my flight leaves before noon tomorrow - I need to pack!

[Prudence]

You're a guy. What's to pack? One pair of emergency undies and a selection of CDs and you're set for weeks. And if you go commando, you can skip the undies and pack more CDs.

[Not Afraid]

Chris arrived in Chicago last night and checked into the hotel. He won't tell me too much about because he wants me to "experience it for myslef". Hmmmmm. He did say it was very swanky though.

I'm pretty much packed for my flight on Wednesday. I had to pack with Chris because he's taking the big luggage and I knew there were a few things that wouldn't fit in my smaller luggage. Surprisingly, only one pair of shoes and a denim jacket went on ahead. It is easier to pack in a smaller suitcase when it is 90 degrees at your destination. :rolleyes:

[Mousey Girl]

For the first time in serveral months I have the a/c off and the house opened up!! I feel like crap so I have already planned an easy meal for tonight...Nuked lasagna and garlic cheese toast. I am really craving an enchilada casserole but am in no mood to go to the store or do any serious cooking, so it will have to wait for Wed night. I did make the garlic butter, all that is left is to stir it every 20 mins until it cools, and add in the parmasan cheese.

[Kevy Baby]

You're a guy. What's to pack? One pair of emergency undies and a selection of CDs and you're set for weeks. And if you go commando, you can skip the undies and pack more CDs.
You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Prudence again..

[€uroMeinke]

Chris arrived in Chicago last night and checked into the hotel. He won't tell me too much about because he wants me to "experience it for myslef". Hmmmmm. He did say it was very swanky though.

So I guess I'll tease you with a few tidbits


the hotel has a soundtrack, you can buy it for $13.00. That's one way of bringing music to something.
Our room has a black furry cube
Bacon wrapped, Chorizo stuffed, dates

[Not Afraid]

Wednesday. Wednesday. Wednesday.

[Kevy Baby]

Bacon wrapped, Chorizo stuffed, dates

Why are you dating while you are in Chicago?
Why are you telling your WIFE about it?

[SacTown Chronic]

Who among us hasn't had a chorizo stuffed date? Hell, I had two of 'em Saturday night.

[Not Afraid]

Soooooo, my Big Orange Boy has been scratching his eye and, rather than leave for Chicago with this happening, I have cancelled my plans for the day to be a responsible mommy. I'm sorry I won't see my friends today. We'll have to reschedule after I get back.

[Kevy Baby]

Soooooo, my Big Orange Boy has been scratching his eye...Oh NA, I am sorry to hear about this. I hope he is okay. Keep us posted.

(And let me know if you need someone to stop in on the kibbies in your absence. I know that Susan would be more than happy to do so!)

[Not Afraid]

Thanks, Kevin. Since I am pet sitting now, I have access to the other pet sitters at a pretty great price. Someone will visit them daily.

[€uroMeinke]

So) I got off work and went back to the Hotel only to arive at the same time as some trade show party at the 33rd floor. There was a line in the lobby going out the door just to get to the elevators. So I'm now at the bar posting from my PDA, drinking a Manhattan thinking about how humiliating it is wearing a work logo shirt in such a swanky place.

[Ghoulish Delight]

So I'm now at the bar posting from my PDA, drinking a Manhattan thinking about how humiliating it is wearing a work logo shirt in such a swanky place.Bah, try it the other way around. You may be wearing a work logo shirt, but at least you're drinking a Manhattan in a swanky place!

[€uroMeinke]

Bah, try it the other way around. You may be wearing a work logo shirt, but at least you're drinking a Manhattan in a swanky place!

Heh after the first Manhattan I stopped caring - I guess I'll have tapas for dinner tonight.

[Not Afraid]

Three Manhattans later, he remembers to call his wife. LOL! Don't worry, I'll get revenge. :evil:

[Not Afraid]

Soooooo, my Big Orange Boy has been scratching his eye and, rather than leave for Chicago with this happening, I have cancelled my plans for the day to be a responsible mommy. I'm sorry I won't see my friends today. We'll have to reschedule after I get back.

Jack Update. He's fine now. It seems he has sensitive eyes and gets "something in his eye" on occasion that drives him bonkers. I think it's car hair. That's what always gets in my eyes. :rolleyes:

[€uroMeinke]

Three Manhattans later, he remembers to call his wife. LOL! Don't worry, I'll get revenge. :evil:

Heh - yes after the third drink the route was clear to the elevator and I made my break to change my shirt - though now I think I may stay here a bit. Though the bartender said I should come down later and have another drink or appetizer now that I finished my homework (posting from my PDA) - they are open till midnight. Maybe I should check my wallet again to see just how much I really tipped him...

[Not Afraid]

Honey, why don't you just go to bed and sleep it off. K? I would like you slightly alive tomorrow night.

[wendybeth]

Jack Update. He's fine now. It seems he has sensitive eyes and gets "something in his eye" on occasion that drives him bonkers. I think it's car hair. That's what always gets in my eyes. :rolleyes:

That damn car hair.;):D

[Prudence]

Sooooo......

I manage do to quite a lot for a short and tubby white girl. Really. But there are limits to what I can handle.

[wendybeth]

Heh - yes after the third drink the route was clear to the elevator and I made my break to change my shirt - though now I think I may stay here a bit. Though the bartender said I should come down later and have another drink or appetizer now that I finished my homework (posting from my PDA) - they are open till midnight. Maybe I should check my wallet again to see just how much I really tipped him...

Let me guess- you were wearing the green polo, right?

[Gn2Dlnd]

Sooooo......

I manage do to quite a lot for a short and tubby white girl. Really. But there are limits to what I can handle.

We short and tubby white girls do have limits.

[Not Afraid]

Sooooo, I'm here in Chicago. I have a terrible cold and I haven't left the hotel yet. BUT..... we did have dinner at Wave last night and I DID have bacon wrapped churizo stuffed dated and they exceded the hype. Oh MAN!

The hotel IS pretty swanky and I will take and post some pics later (if someone brought the card reader). Our view is spectacular and, due to cold meds, I saw the sun rise over the lake.

At the moment, I'm waiting for the daytime cold meds to take effect then I will do some 'sploring. Chris may get home early today :crosses fingers: Meanwhile, I have the "Leave me alone" sign on the door - that is literally what it says.

Oh, bad news.....Those of you who have seen Chris' Pimp watch he got in Japan knowhow cool it is. Well, apparently, the W is one of THREE stores in the US that carry Pimp watches and Chris is already in lust. And people think I do the most damage shopping. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

We short and tubby white girls do have limits.Oh Commodore, don't be silly. You're not short!

[Prudence]

Soooo....my mom's friend just came to pick up Orange Kitty of Doom, the extraordinarily friendly stray we've been feeding. So now I'm happysad. I'm happy OKoD won't spend another night out in the rain, but I was really attached to OKoD so I'm really going to miss him. It is such a nice cat. So well behaved. Heck, we put it on a leash and that didn't really bother it. And it went right into the cat carrier with no problems. I wish we could have kept OKoD. And I'm kind of afraid that Other Orange Kitty, who might be wild, will be lost without his buddy OKoD. But we'll keep feeding OOK and maybe it will be less afraid and we can get it a home, too.

[Scrooge McSam]

My Grandad died early this morning. 95! Last time I saw him he wondered if I remembered when I was 5 and we found that snake in the north pasture behind the pond. He always told the same stories, even when I WAS 5, about this friend from his childhood named Tris. Tris, or rather Chris, had a nasty little speech impediment apparantly and picked up the Tris moniker from the other kids. My grandfather was notoriously hard of hearing. My grandmother was his hearing aid ever since I can remember. But deaf as he was we had to stop all the clocks when he'd come to visit because he could hear the grandfather clock ticking through 2 walls. There was always a concert when he'd come to visit. He had to hear his grandson play the piano. I used to wonder what he could hear, but keeping in mind the stopped grandfather clock I gave him the benefit of the doubt. A computer was a computer was a computer for him. When I started working in that field, he had my aunt ask me if I could fix his car. Some module in the ignition system (in other words, a computer) needed to be replaced. He and my grandmother raised 5 kids, outliving their 2 eldest sons, one of them my dad. My grandmother is 92 now. They've been together since they were teenagers.

I'm just beginning to miss him, but I'm so very glad I knew him.

[wendybeth]

I'm sorry about your grandpa, Scrooge. :(

Regarding his hearing loss, if it was sensorineural (progressive, usually caused by illness, injury or aging) chances are his loss was in the speech frequency range. That's where Tori's is, and it's often very confusing for people. She hears music fairly well, and odd noises that others don't pick up, but the spoken word is hard for her. I'm glad she can enjoy music, but there is so much that she misses out on!

[Not Afraid]

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandpa, Scrooge. 95 is an amazing amount of years to live. I'm glad you knew him and spent time with him.


Soooooo, I'm sneezy in Chicago while Chris continues to be the swanky guy he is. He's lounging on the bed behind me listening to some new Lounge CD he got. A woman with a kitten voice keeps purring "Ooooh it's so kinky!!! :giggle giggle:.

Sneeze.

Oh, and the CD has a Shag cover.

We're actually having a lot of fun despite work and illness. Food is to die for as usual. Shopping couldn't be better. People watching enormous fun and, those of you that are familiar with Chris' Pimp Watch (the nuke one he got in Japan) well, the store here at the W is one of 3 stores in the US that carries Pimp watches, so guess what he bought? (MousePod, are you reading this????). This one is cool and black with blueish white lights - the color of reflected b/w TV sets - and very amusing.

We had French Colonial Vietnamese food tonight at a very cool place. I want to go back every night and have appetizers in the bar and listen to great music.

Tomorrow, Chris has the day off, so we're heading to Bucktown/Wicker Park for breakfast then to Mellinnium Park and maybe the museum. One day I'll upload pics. ;) For now, I'm taking the Blue Pill.

[wendybeth]

We had French Colonial Vietnamese food tonight at a very cool place. I want to go back every night and have appetizers in the bar and listen to great music.

I am officially tres jealous.

We are in the midst of a remodeling project. We are getting a new roof, outside paint, new carpeting and tile, and whatever else we can get before we run out of money. Today I came home from work and all the crappy, crappy, crappy berber carpet was gone!!!!!! In it's place is a lovely Karastan plush, and already I'm the carpet harpy from hell. Don't take that in the living room! Pick that up! Is that dog fur over there?:rolleyes:

I am very, very tired, though. We've been staying up past midnite moving furniture, after working ten hour days. The roofers and carpet guys were coming over at 7:00 am, so not a lot of sleep this week. The inside work is finished now, so I don't have to worry about corralling scared cats into the spare bedroom, or keeping the dogs in line, or moving the damned birdcage into the bathroom. Now, I just have to put everything back.

[Mousey Girl]

Well...today around 4ish I went out to check the mail. I lit a ciggie and went into the back yard. I looked at the fence and watched a tree rat scamper along the top fence board, all the way down the fence line. It is very odd to see a nocturnal animal out in the day. It looked like it had come from our neighbors shed and when it reached the other end of the fence it disappeared into their yard. When David got home he set the rat traps, one of which he set on the same baord I had seen the critter on earlier. I just went outside for my last cig of the night and PoohDog was acting odd. He wanted to show me something in the yard. He was really pleased with himself. I looked to where the trap was (the other was set in Nickolas' treehouse), and the trap wasn't there. It had fallen to the lower board. I got a flashlight and followed Pooh out to the yard. There was the rodent I had spotted earlier. I woke up David for dead critter removal. The only thing I can figure is that the trap stunned it and when it fell Pooh decided to play with it (like a cat). There was not any outward signs of trauma (though I didn't get close enough to do a full exam) but it was dead. Rigor hadn't even set in yet so it hadn't been dead for long. It struck me odd that it was so small. I remember the rats on the power lines in Temple City and they were the size of large cats. This one was only the size of the smallest Girl. I was able to tell it was a female. So now I am going to take out a Girl or 2 (or 5) and try to get rid of the guilty feeling I have.

[MickeyLumbo]

Scrooge, i'm so sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. i hope that the cherished memories you have of him will comfort you.

[SacTown Chronic]

I'm sorry about your grandad, Sam.

He always told the same stories, even when I WAS 5,

Heh, sounds like my dad. It used to drive me nuts but as I get older I take strange comfort in hearing those stories again and again.

[€uroMeinke]

So, I slept in today and am looking forward to my only work-free day of this trip. I've been visiting coal plants, and coming home every night covered in black dust. I feel soout of place when I enter the hotel lobby each night. Today, we'll be hitting Bucktown and Wicker Park and after that - we'll see where our plans really take us.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Scrooge, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Grandad. My condolences to you.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Scrooge, sorry for your loss. Sounds like he had a long, fulfilling life.

So, I'm at work on Saturday. The only other engineer here just left, which leaves me alone in this dimly lit (they drop to about 1/3 lighting on weekends) 50,000 sq. ft. test lab. Must...resist...urge...to run the length of the lab making silly noises. Mostly because I don't want security to come bug me.

[Kevy Baby]

Scrooge: I too extend my condolences on the loss of your grandfather. I hope you are able to carry your cherished memories of him with you forever.

Mostly because I don't want security to come bug me.Now, see, this is exactly why I WOULD do it!

[Not Afraid]

Sooooooo, I'm a lazy slog.

Yeah, it is noon here and I'm not going anywhere yet. I prefer to sit around in my plush W robe and lounge.

We did a lot of exploring over the past 2 days - Wicker Park/Bucktown and Millennium Park and the Talouse Lautrec exhibit at the Art Institute. My feet hurt but my eyes are happy.

I just have one quetion. Why in the HELL doesn't LA have more public spaces filled with interesting public art and great gardens and architecture? Millennium Park is a fantastic space. It is vibrant, creative, fun, interative, thoughtful and adventerous. And all this is a city that can't use outside spaces year round. I find myself loving Chicago more andmore each visit. It really is fantastic.

[Snowflake]

Watching the clock, wishing it would move faster, and passing some time catching up with my reading on LoT.

Also looking forward to a cool something to drink and then my feet up later (after I do some of the many chores that await) with some good music on the box.

Donna

[Prudence]

Sooo...finished my first substantive edit today. Gah. Took forever. I didn't have a second to myself this weekend. Remind me why this whole journal thing was a good idea?

[€uroMeinke]

So first full day at the conference - some good some bad. The worst is no coffee service. The mornings are killing me. Thank god the Starbucks was open this morning - the barista earned a big tip for being open.

[Mousey Girl]

How can they have any sort of conference without serving coffee??? That makes no sense!

[Gemini Cricket]

Due to situations beyond our control, MiceChat will be down for the entire day today.
Be sure to come back and visit us on Wednesday!

-Hastin (Monorail Man), and the MiceChat Crew.
Great. Now I have to be productive today.
:( :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

Great. Now I have to be productive today.
:( :DWhat's the LoT, chopped liver? Nothing preventing you from wasting time here. :cheers:

[Prudence]

Ah, now I know why Claire has graced us with her presence today.

We need buttons: LoT helped me avoid productivity!

[Not Afraid]

Ahhhhhhh, it all becomes clear now. I sure hope they can get their issues resolved. What would a day be without MC?

[Ghoulish Delight]

So, there was a lightning strike at my job's building last night. Power was in and out, and finally the decission was made to go through and power everything down. We're back up this morning, but everything I had running overnight was, obviously, stopped.

That was a heck of a storm. We had a couple hours of lightning and thunder. I think I heard 4 separate cells move through. With all the talk of Rita I missed the fact that there was a storm tearing its way through Mexico. Thunder kept me up pretty late. There was one lightning strike directly over us, the thunder set off every car alarm in the neighborhood.

So I'm tired and I've lost a day's worth of work. Hooray!

[Mousey Girl]

*pout* The storms seem to have been stopped by the Grapevine. We did get enough rain to totally screw up my car, but not enough to get the seats wet (I keep my windows open a bit). I was up until well after 2am, and no thunder. I would love for it to rain some more. Nickolas rode his bike to school and he would be thrilled to get to ride it home in the rain.

[Morrigoon]

I frickin' love this wonky weather! My bf was going nuts last night with the thunder (he doesn't "do" electrical storms), and admittedly sometimes it was quite disturbingly forceful, but hey, really AWESOME streaks of lightning! And I've been dying for it to rain again, so yay that!

The only thing that bugs me is the humid heat. Yesterday at lunch was annoyingly hot.

[Mousey Girl]

It is hot, sticky and verrrrrrrry windy up here. On the way to my claw appointment I had to drive slower than normal and keep the windows up due to the wind and dust. The sky is ominous and it should be a lot cooler than it is. Nickolas made it home ok, he did say that there was some really strong wind bugging him on his way home.

[Gn2Dlnd]

the barista earned a big tip for being open.

I've always appreciated people who are comfortable with themselves. :coffee:

[€uroMeinke]

So it was a beautiful day in Chicago today. I got out early fiom one of my sessions and just sat at the pier and watched the sail boats. I could stand to do more of that.

[Gemini Cricket]

What's the LoT, chopped liver? Nothing preventing you from wasting time here. :cheers:
That's true. :)

I spent the day at Jordan's Furniture near Boston. It's like Disneyland for furniture...

Then I assembled a coffee table and 2 end tables.

Then I started setting up my fish tank.

Then I played 'Kingdom Hearts' for an hour... maybe two...

Then I did a job search.

Then I downloaded music... from iTunes.

Then I ate a big sandwich.

Then I watched Margaret Cho on the Sundance Channel.

And now I type this.

Pretty fun day.

:D

[Mousey Girl]

I went to Chuy's tonight...we had 2 b-days to ce;ebrate...mine and a close friend's. All it did was make me realize that since I have not been goigng out regularly, I have turned into a light weight drinker and am now sick. No more alchohol for me for another month.

[wendybeth]

Mousey GIrl, is it your b-day? It's not on the calender, girl! If it is, Happy Birthday! If it's not, Happy Un-Birthday!:snap:

[Mousey Girl]

It was the 10th. I took it off the calandar a while ago. Thank you for the well wishes!

I was able to eat and drink some milk, so I am feeling much, much better now.

I think tonight was a combination of not eating all day and then trying to drink like I used to...it all caught up with me.

[€uroMeinke]

So - my conference is finally over and I'm taking a break before I head out to the airport. Chicago was a lot of fun as usual, but now I'm anxious to go home. Unfortunately, I still have to go into work tomorrow but the weekend will come soon enough.

[Not Afraid]

Sooooo, I got home late last night from Chicago (1:50 by the time I got home). The cats were happy to see me even after I dragged big scary luggage into the house. However, I realized it was street sweeping tomorrow and the CRV was parked in the driveway. I drove around looking for a spot for the Mercedes but there was nothing. So, I did what every other red-neck, Mercedes-driving gal would do....I parked on the lawn next to the CRV. Car was still there this morning and I moved it to a more respectable spot. I sure hope the neighbours got a good laught this morning. ;)

[Prudence]

So now I feel slightly bad. Today someone put up a flyer about a missing kitty that sounds like the stray we caught for my mom's friend. If it's their cat I'm sorry. But I'm also not sorry because the cat was super skinny and not for lack of appetite. Even now reports are that he eats all the time and follows the human around because he's starved for companionship. So if it is their cat, they weren't taking very good care of it. And we did check with the management and if it is their cat they didn't register it, which is a violation of the rules. And they left it outside in the rain (it wanted to come in.) So it either isn't theirs or they're lousy caretakers. But I still feel a little bad. (But seriously -- the cat was nearly emaciated.)

[MickeyLumbo]

Prudence, please don't feel bad. IMO, there is nothing to feel guilty about - i believe you did the right thing.;)

[Prudence]

Emotionally I feel awful because I know how I'd feel if my kitties were missing. Intellectually I know that I would *never* neglect my kitties like this kitty was neglected.

[Not Afraid]

Is the kitty happy in his new home?

Good, then your good deed is done. Maybe they can care for the other one.

[Prudence]

Kitty is happy, getting all the food his tummy can handle, settling in with the other 3 cats, and getting doted on by a single woman who adores cats. He apparently won't leave her side.

I'll feel okay about it in the morning.

[Not Afraid]

I had a Big Orange Boy adopt me and I know that guilty feeling. But, Jack is much happier and just LOVES his mommy and his brothers (and girl).

[Kevy Baby]

And they left it outside in the rain (it wanted to come in.)One small note:

Our little socialite kitty was enjoying one of his late nights out when the storms hit. Since I had a 102 degree fever, GusGus went out in the rain to look for him, but he was someplace dry and unfindable. He was in the same predicament (sans the emaciation, etc.), but he WAS wanted.

Ending on a positive note; he eventually came home between downfalls and was mostly dry and happy to be home.

[scaeagles]

So.....while on the subject of cats.....not to be offensive, but I hate them. Despise them. There are three or four in the neighborhood that come in my yard and poop in the sand under the trampoline or in my flower beds. I don't own a cat (nor a dog, but love dogs), and I have no desire to clean up after cats. I also have no interest in harming one - not only is that cruel, but it's some kids' pet. Animal Control says it's legal to trap on your own property. Like i want to capture some kids' cat?

Any solutions for this poblem I find myself with?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Any solutions for this poblem I find myself with?

Therapy.

:cool:

[scaeagles]

Therapy.

For the cats? Surely you couldn't mean me.

[MickeyLumbo]

his name is not Surely - except for maybe tuesday nights at the club.

[€uroMeinke]

Any solutions for this poblem I find myself with?

I believe the cats view your yard as unclaimed property - to stop their tresspass, you must leave a sign that they understand. In other words, you must mark your territory. Get yourself a few six packs this weekend and lay down your golden borders.

[Not Afraid]

How about removing the giant cat box under the trampoline?

Or, maybe filling it instead with some ordor absorbing can sand.

[scaeagles]

I guess this why I am not a cat person.

IT ISN'T A GIANT CAT BOX! It's my yard, and they are unwelcome. Dogs are not permitted to run free and poop in someone elses yard....cats should be controlled as well. it's simply an issue of being polite and understanding that this is what your cat is doing while it's out.

[Not Afraid]

No no no! You have it mixed up. The cats are the one who own the people, not the other way around. This is what YOU, humble servant, have provided for the cat and he will show you his gratitude by gratefully using it for it's intended purpose.

[scaeagles]

Ever seen the movie "Cats and Dogs", NA?

[Not Afraid]

No.

There was a TV show with Kim Bassinger called Cat and Dog - or something like that. I remember seeing that once. She had a VW with a Porche engine. No catbox though.

[€uroMeinke]

So, you'd think pouring water on a votive candle would put it out - tonight we discovered otherwise, as my friend Melissa poured fuzzy water into the votive only to momentarily transform it into a mini-vesuvius sending an erruption of wax lava on everything within 3 feet. The sparkly flames were quite impressive as well. We never covered this one in science class.

[Tito's Kitten]

thanks for the tip....

(running outside with votive,lighter and seltzer....)


But wait, is that fuzzy as in sitting out on a shelf filled with dust bunny water or fizzy water?

[scaeagles]

Well, NA, the movie Cats and Dogs is one of those live action movies with CGI making it appear as if the cats and dogs are actually speaking.

The basic plot is that evil cats are out to take over the world. Dogs have had cats in their place since the fall of Egypt, and one particular cat decides it is time for them to take their place again as rulers of men. The dogs, of course, foil their plan.

[Not Afraid]

Nah, cats are too independent to be that organized. Plus, they're not evil.


But I am. :evil:

[Prudence]

Nah, cats are too independent to be that organized. Plus, they're not evil.


But I am. :evil:

You're the fly in my soup? You're the pebble in my shoe?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

For scaeagles (http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/820)

[Prudence]

Interesting suggestions, although I wouldn't recommend lavender to keep cats away; Boris *loves* the stuff.

[MickeyLumbo]

my next cat will be named Sactown and i shall pet it all day. it will be toilet trained.

[scaeagles]

Thanks for the link, CP, but I've tried that kind of stuff. The thing is you constantly have to reapply anything you do like that. A good desert windstorm, rain, simply watering my lawn and plants, and the stuff is gone or loses effectiveness.....I spent more time reapplying the stuff than I did cleaning up cat poop.

[SacTown Chronic]

MickeyLumbo petting ***** all day? Ha! I don't think so.

[MickeyLumbo]

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to ***** again.

[Mousey Girl]

When my neighbors cat was mauled to death from a dog running lose, I called the SPCA to report the dog. While they did agree to come out and warn the dog's owner, they also told me that there are leash laws for cats and that cat should not have been allowed to roam free. THE CAT WAS IN IT'S OWN YARD! This cat only came. to our house, to visit Nickolas when he was in his Exersaucer in front of the front door, and his own home area. This dog was a menace. He seemed to "get" free almost every night, and he was not a nice dog. At least PoohDog is nice if he gets out (he is only vicious in his own territory). The SPCA finally took the dog away, but their comment on the cat threw me.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Thanks for the link, CP, but I've tried that kind of stuff. The thing is you constantly have to reapply anything you do like that. A good desert windstorm, rain, simply watering my lawn and plants, and the stuff is gone or loses effectiveness.....I spent more time reapplying the stuff than I did cleaning up cat poop.Actually I was referring more to the plant ideas (except the lavender, thanks Pru for the tip :) ). I followed the link to the German anti-cat hybrid and had a good excuse to fire up the Google translator. Check it out. (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.egli-gartencenter.ch%2Ftips%2Fverpissdich.html&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)

[Mousey Girl]

The funeral is today. Nickolas went off to school, I will pick him up around 12. I need to take a shower, but for some reason I am having trouble getting moving.

[Not Afraid]

Mousy Girl, I know how hard this is. you just have put one foot in front of the other and move through the strange dream world/hyper reality that accompanies this stuff. I think after the funeral you will have some time to really grieve which, thought painful, will be a good thing in the long run. Big hugs to you and your family. My heart goes out to you all.

[Mousey Girl]

Thank you...I have taken my shower and even am partly dressed. We will have to leave within the hour. After David will bring me back home to get the food and we will take 2 cars to Jimmy's parents. This way I can leave when I have had enough. I am not comfie in large groups as it is, the added stress is gonna really be tough. My friends are on standby to meet me at Chuy's tonight.

The plus side is that The Old People are going to be home today!!

OMG! Nickolas got his hair cut yesterday and just finished getting dressed, he is such a little man! Where did my baby go??? :eek:

[Mousey Girl]

Well...this day from Hell is over. The services were ok, Dawn played 4 country songs that made everyone cry. The one that got to me was If Something Should Happen. It was for David. It was about a guy going in for surgery and if something should happen, take care of my wife and kids. It was hard. I looked at David and his eyes were welling up. It was better than the 1st choice which was aobut a guy and his best friend and started with, "Hey Dave." All this did was make me realize how much I hate country music.

After, I came home to change and then Nick and I went to Jimmy's parents house. There were over 150 people there. Nick had a hissy fit/melt down when I told him he could not go swimming with the rest of the kids. The adults were all getting drunk and 25 kids in the pool. I would have been the only sober person watching and I did not want that responsibility. Nick and I left. David was kidnapped by his co-workers so I caught up with them, had a margarita and went on to Chuys. David finally caught up with Nick and me at Chuys and a few of his friends came with him. Jimmy's hand, Jose is a young kid and taking it real hard. He admitted to me tonight that he came real close to following in Jimmy's footsteps. He looked up to Jimmy. He told David last Saturday that the only way he could go to work is if he could work with David. He is now David's hand.

I am just glad today is over. This has been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through.

[Drince88]

{{Hugs}}
And a wish for your future (going off of your last line)

May this be the hardest thing you EVER have to go through.

Make sure you take care of yourself, so you can take care of your family!

[Mousey Girl]

I knew I missed not going to DLR, but I didn't realize David missed it too. He made the comment that he wished we still had our AP's so that we could just go take a day trip to cheer ourselves up a bit.
:evil: I took this as an opportunity to spring my idea for Nickolas's Santa present on him. This morning I told him what I was thinking about doing for Christmas, getting us AP's again. HE AGREED!!!! Not a single negatative comment sprung from his lips!!!

In November I will go ahead and order them online. When they arrive I plan on wrapping them in a BIG box for The Boy to find on Christmas morning. Our first trip probably won't be until after New Year's since we are going camping in Pismo then. I am just soooo excited!

[AllyOops!]

Much love & hugs, Mousey Girl. My heart completely goes out to you.

I foung out last Monday that my baby, my sweet precious girl, my little daughter (my little snowball that's pictured in my avatar) has cancer. When she began limping, I rushed her to the Pet Hospital and they found out she had a little slipped disc in her back. Her Doctor thought her front left leg limp was tendinitis from applying pressure to her front and trying to navigate stairs.

However, he was determined to pinpoint the problem and took neck and shoulder X-Rays. Her Doctor and Radiologist informed me on Monday she has a very fast spreading and agressive cancer. For the first time in years, I broke down and cried. For days. In fact I didn't get out of bed except to brush my teeth and wash my face. Golly, I couldn't even brush my hair.

I'm determined to save my Angel. She's the reason I breathe. My best friend.

Her Oncologist and Doctor gave me the news yesterday that THEY can save her life. At first they thought they could remove her tumor and give her bone replacement surgery, but they now know that they have to amputate her front left leg. Her hips and back are strong enough that they know she'll recover quickly. And, the best part? Chemo & radiation on a canine is far different from that on a human being. No nausea, mood changes or hair loss. Chemo on a canine has little to no effect on their mental and physical being.

The WORST part was knowing that if she was going to suffer..I'd have to make the ultimate decision. And it would KILL me. GUT me. I'll do ANYTHING to save my sweet baby's life.

Because her spirit is so intact. She still wags her tail wildly. Raises her ears up. Has the brightest eyes. And begs for snacks constantly.

So, I spoil my peapod. I hand feed her her dinners (I trained her to bite off of a fork and spoon like a person). Have her carried upstairs. Snuggle with her constantly. And gave up my social life. Anybody who knows me knows I'm kinda a..um, party girl. No more. My place is at home. And it's kind of funny how life surprises you. I was Miss Single Party Girl. The other night, her Daddy took her for the weekend. I went out and felt...alone. I thought of her constantly and couldn't wait to be reunited. I realized what I fear most I long for most. The truth is, I want to stay home, be her mommy, care for her and be domestic. Crazy how life surprises you. I never knew my calling in life was to settle down.

Only a few years ago, my life was complete. It was everything I had ever wanted. I lived in a fairy tale home with the man I loved and was going to marry, with my two beautiful black labs and my little fishie. I'd bake cookies in my kitchen while gossiping with my best friend on the phone.

I lost everybody. The man I was supposed to marry, my best friend, one of my Labs & my fishie. They all passed away. My little pumpkin pie is still alive and has stuck with me through all of the heartache and pain. If I lose her..I'll have nothing left. How am I supposed to live without my best friend?

Please pray for her. Next Sunday, she'll lose her leg. Instead of being sad, I know I should be happy. Because she'll finally be comfortable. :) Ooh! she's entering the room right now! My little snow pea. Little snow plow. Little snow crab. Yes, I'm nickname happy. :)

I cannot believe I shared so much. That kinda isn't like me at all.

[Mousey Girl]

(((hugs)))

[Ponine]

Ally,
Know that a great many people here love you, and are rooting for your little snow pea.

It's odd what is surfaces in the face of tragedy or strife. I think we learn quite a bit in those moments about ourselves.

Hugs for you, and your pup. I love you!

[Mousey Girl]

I am now trying to get my adrenaline back to normal. The police just left. Someone broke into David's car and took his garage door opener. He was leaving for work when he found the garage door open. He accused me of leaving it open all night. Luckily I have been up since 2:45, so I must have scared the thieves off before they could snag anything. We did find a bike that we turned into the police-it had been stolen from someone else. So now we get to reprogram our garage door and make sure that everything is locked up tighter than normal at night.

[Not Afraid]

YIKES! There's nothing quite so bad as that feeling of violation you get from a break in or an attempted one. Thank god it wasn't worse. Was David's car damaged?

[Prudence]

Yoiks! I'm glad everyone's okay! I prescribe one cup of herbal tea, stat! And an enormously large box of chocolates.