Well....we didn't say we weren't going to do anything but we are planning a vacation and trying to play little get aways. Nothing really special, everyone is working....

So, this morning I awoke to a heart box of candy and a dozen roses. He had already left for work and had left the coffee on, fresh and hot.

We spoke on the phone a couple of times and I thanked him. When I got in to the car about noonish I noticed a card from him on my visor. I didn't open it until I got to work so that I could read it alone. {who knows what was written inside!! :D }

It was really sweet. At the end it said 'Check the glove box....' Inside that was a little box with white gold earrings with aquamarine stones {my birthstone, I think} and diamond accents.

I do not deserve this wonderful man.

Tomorrow is supposed to be his day off but now he has to go in by 7 a.m. I told him I would go in with him to help him finish up quickly.

I couldn't even surprise him at work and take him out because he is too busy. :(

We just got about 20 inches of snow. Some places close by got almost 3 feet.

I'm not Catholic, so I just ignore it.

I got up to find a box of chocolates and a hand made card - but even more wonderful was the phone call I got at 11:00 saying his conference was ove and he was on his way home.

After I did my doggie duties, we went out to lunch/dinner and saw not one but 2 films. The Queen, because we needed to and Music and Lyrics because there was a talker in the first showing of The Queen and we walked out and snuck into another theater. Wonderful surprise date!

I got Fran's salted caramels and mints. But, even better, while I was in class, BT went to Nordys and braved the hosiery section for me to acquire additional stockings and camisoles for my upcoming trip.

So who's hung over this Feb. 15?

I got tulips and a drive to the doctor and clear beverages and soft food delivered bedside all day. And he got a promise that we'd celebrate Valentine's day when we actually could. I so do not deserve this man, either.

This sounds interesting! ;)

I got ignored :(

I'm not suicidal, so I don't.

Aw, I wish Kevy was here. And if he was he'd say "Not hung over - Just hung."

Thank you...

Say, this gives a new meaning to your screenname, Mr. Fully Loaded. :cool:

I'm fortunate in that Lani doesn't care much either. Some years we may do something but most we don't.

Besides, other than the buying of chocolates (which we shouldn't eat) and the buying of flowers (which the cat would), we do most of the other stereotypical Valentine's Day activities (an evening together, nice dinner out, a weekend trip, etc.) all the time anyway. Doing them again just because Hallmark wants us to is reason enough to pointedly not do them.

So she played WoW all evening and I watched five episodes of Arrested Development, Season 2.

But since I do pretty much ignore all of the other Catholic holidays that have bled into the general culture (Mardis Gras, Christmas, Arbor Day, Cinco de Mayo) it seems consistent to do the same with Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is 3 days after the anniversary of our first date so it used to be a bigish deal to us. Since we got married and acquired a real anniversary, it's faded, but we still like to mark it, even if it's nothing more than buying each other new cards with cute puppies on them to replace the ones hanging on the fridge from last year. This year we also took the time to cook a nice meal together. Not that us cooking together is particularly out of the ordinary, but we chose more labor-intensive dishes than we otherwise might have on a Wednesday.

so, I awake this morning to find I have contracted the plague.

oh joy oh bliss...kill me now :(

So now I have had the tune of Der Fuhrer's Face running rampant through my inner radio all day, dankhe schoen, Mousepod ;)

I can no longer post from work. I accedently discovered porn on a co-worker's computer yesterday so I am being verrrrry careful about not accessing the internet from work since it is against the rules. If it was that easy for me to find that means it is that easy for the owners to find. I don't want to be accused of doing anything wrong, so I won't.

2 weeks ago I spotted a warehouse worker taking stuff over the back fence. I am really getting tired of people.

use your camera phone and blackmail them.

if you cant beat them, profit from them

:evil:

As long as you're good with it...:D





(feel better ;) )

I want one of these:







Portuguese Water Dog. So stinkin' cute.

When they opened up the new ballpark in San Francisco, they had a team of Portuguese Water Dogs that were trained to fetch the balls that went over the wall and into the cove. If I remember correctly, Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) may have been one of the owners. They got a lot of coverage on local TV news. Once the season got underway, though, so many people brought inflatables, canoes, kayaks and other small boats to the cove that the dogs never got to do their thing.

I have a Standard Poodle (very closely related) who needs a haircut. The PWDs are like a SP in multi-color. :D

(And I think doggies fetching baseballs would only have enhanced the park's atmosphere)

so Im told.
:D


(thanks :p )

I was in old people hell today. I had to drive my mother out to Desert Hot Springs for a funeral. I swear, there is no one under 40 living in that town!

Aww, well, Happy Belated Valentines Day! Perhaps next year will be better.

I got 2 $25 Target gift cards and a pair of AMC Gold movie tickets at work today.

Plus another free lunch for sales goals achieved (and exceeded). :D

SQUEEEE!!!! I paid off my car loan!!!! This will free up a lot of money per month-yeah yeah yeah!

Now, your car will die and/or require expensive repairs every 3 months. This is the way the universe works.

Fie on you!! ;)


No no no no- all will be well in my world......I said so, so it has to be.:D

That's exactly what I'm worrying over. Mine will be paid off in 5 months (sooner if I can squeeze and extra payment or two out).

I did learn from a co-worker here (much younger than me) that my car is fashionable and would sell to one of her friends for some nice money. Who knew a Buick could be fashionable? :p

squeee!!! I got my Disneyland 4 day pass in the mail- it's real!! I am going!!

heehee!

My old landlord (the one I was going to take to court) finally sent me my refund back. One would think I would be smart and make 2 extra car payments on it, or pay down a credit card with it. But nope, it's going to my hockey tickets.

My oh my....

.... So I'm heading home, due to a case of the Burn Outs.

I am quietly toasting my move from temp service to perm employee. I was hoping for a raise, but was told that since I alreayd make more than most of my co-workers not to count on that. Oh well, at least I will get holidays paid now!

those can really wreck a lawn...

Congratulations!

Yes, congrats MG!

Wunderbar! Congratulations!

Congrats MG!
:cheers:

Yaay, MG!:snap: :cheers: :snap:

Congrats.
:)

Thank you all!! At least I feel as if I have some sort of stability.

You're going to be fine, MG. You'll be surprised at how fine you'll be.:cheers:

YAY MG!!!!!

We'll loudly toast your position switch.

You rock!

Congratulations MG!!!!!

That was what many people did on that day

...like a bee.

WTF?!?

I'm sure they did. How creative of you to think of that.

Not this person!!

Nickolas has almost finished his Star Destroyer, all 1366 pieces. I really thought it would take him longer.

We just got home from Mom's and Target. The girls are trying to tell me to clean their cage. They have completly torn up the bedding and shredded the newspaper that was underneath. I am going to take a nap instead.

So, has anyone talked to LSPE? She feeling any better?

When I talked to Mousepod earlier today, he said he had tried to call her, but got voice mail.

Not that this really makes that much of a difference.

So why is that at 4:19 I am still sitting here waiting for the DirecTV installer who was supposed to be here between 12-2?

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I don't stand for that. I'd cancel the order and call DishNet if I were you.

I'm sure she is feeling much better if her voicemail is working. ;)

Just kidding :D ....

I hope the plague is on it's way out. Been there, done that....

I currently have 2 small rc helicopters buzzing around the living room. He can be a good dad when he wants to.

w00t! My New York connection got back to me and we're going to try to do dinner or something while I'm there. (Plus, I get to meet his partner, which should be fun.) He's had an impressive career, but is one of the least pretentious people I know. Very absent-minded professor - our conversations wander all over the map and he matches me tangent for tenuous tangent. It should be a great dinner conversation!

Actually, this is us switching AWAY from Dish. We've had years of problems with them because of the condo we live in (ie - not entirely their fault). We are getting HD. Unfortunately, the only way to take advantage of any specials is to be a new subscriber. Hence the switch to DirecTV.

For the record, I didn't hear back from LSPE today. Having said that, I'm hoping that she is out and about and healthy and doesn't want to be bothered by my foolishness.

...and Kevy, I want details on your DirecTV DVR. You can enjoy it for a little while, but I expect you back at your computer posting details ASAP.

MP - she posted I think in the Shorts thread.

Dish Network SUCKS!!!

Actually, we were mostly happy with Dish. The problem at our location is that the condo association installed a single dish to cover the entire building. They installed a splitter to send the Dish signal to whoever wanted it. Unfortunately, the splitter was problematic with Dish (the same setup on the DirecTV side had no problems). It is not just our building - it is a common problem in all of the buildings.

We've had Dish for about 8 years, starting before we moved here 7+ years ago. Other than the splitter problem, we've been happy with them.

What kind of idiot schedules 7 AM deliveries on a Sunday?

(ok so it was me but who thought they'd actually show up on time?)

Presenting...

Celebrity Mini-Me's!!!
(You have to scroll down just a little bit.)

:D

Oh, that's so wrong! LOL!

Ok I've sucessfully built a loft bed. Whew. Hope it doesn't fall apart.

I was kind of "eh" on the photos, but was amused by "Alicia Silverstone and Alicia Silverpebble" and "Beyoncet"

Actually, I was amused by the "Mini Lohans"



Hopefully you used screws and not nails.

Ok, the latest update is that they didn't come out because they were awaiting a return call for clearance from the association (which I already secured damnit). However, they should have called.

As compensation, they are knocking $100 off the cost of the unit (and they will be out tomorrow between 10 and noon).

If a bookcase falls on you, and you live alone, when you scream will anyone hear you?

The answer is no - so be careful with the bookcase.

Now Maddy's new room is all done and I can pass out and die.

Taxes done for this year. By far, the earliest that I have completed them (even though we get a refund every year).

I'm trying to figure out why I get a resonable sized refund from Federal (a little over 1% of our income) whereas I get a much larger one from state (about 4% of income). I don't have my deductions set different for state than Federal.

And no, I won't adjust my W-4 - I LIKE getting a refund every year. It's like a little savings account (and that is usually where a lot of the money goes - into savings).

Sooooo..... our new car has been devirginalized. Some #$%^&& lady ran into Eric yesterday and took out the back quarter panel and some of his brain cells. (Bumped his head). Of course, our agent is on vacation, but we are muddling through the paperwork on our own. Big PITA, but at least no one was seriously hurt.

Sorry to hear that Wendybeth! I hope it gets fixed quickly and easily! I just went through that PITA myself! :eek:

Yawn!
My car was the first one in the parking lot, weird to think I am the only person in the building.

Here at the office, checking out LoT and about ready for my morning tea to get started on the day and try to use my time without a boss here to catch up rather than slack off as I'd really rather do.

Yawn!

Oops! Sorry, guys. I didn't see your conversation until *after* Jesse told me about it last night. I have just been busy catching up on everything I didn't do while I was sick. We're coming on 3 months away from the wedding, and I get the flu? Tough break.

Better than 3 weeks from the wedding, though, right?

Update, yes, I'm slacking and not using this time wisely.

:snap:

We were soooo fricking slow at work. This is our down season, but it was ridiculous. Our GM (aka Owner's son/part owner) didn't even show up or call. When the Owner came in with his wife (aka bookkeeper) and found out how slow it was he told us that only 3 of us needed to stay and the other 4 could go. Everyone knew Nickolas was home and now so am I. My afternoon will now be spent watching Star Wars Return of the Jedi and doing laundry. Beats the snot out of working!

Today, we were busy, but everybody visiting was a cheapskate, moron, or just plain rude prick from New Jersey. (or some combination of the above)

Went to the park today and it was awesome - crowds were light, and got even lighter as the clouds left and the sun came out. Heck, we we even rode Pan.

Me got 'em job.
Me heap glad.
:)

Yay GC! :cheers:

I had a great day as well! I had doggie fun in the AM then went to the Fabric District with Morrigoon, followed by a yummy Japanese dinner. We had lots of fun!

Slow week at the office. I stayed home and cleaned the house today instead. Of course, my new laptop couldn't arrive on a day when I'm home all day. That would be too easy. Tomorrow, I have to go into the office in the morning. That's when it will be delivered.

Matthew better hear them knock and answer the door.

Congrats GC!! YAY!!

I bought shoes again. (I already returned some of the others.)

We'll just call you Imelda.

Seriously, you should see my closet. I'm such a jeans and t-shirt slob most of the time, but boy do I have the shoe collection.

I bought shoes yesterday. I threw away the old ones and now I have only 1 set of shoes!! Yay me! ;)

I was able to find this rare photo of Prudence with just a fraction of her shows:




_____________________________



In searching for the above photo, I ran across this:

I spent a large part of yesterday packing up the kitchen. I hate not having a kitchen - even for just a couple of days.

I have tons to do today, but right now I'm stealing a few minutes to play on the computer before Bill gets up.

Cool! Congratulations!

You've got the day off for Lashbear's meet, I hope? :rolleyes:

Absolutely!

Great to hear you are feeling better!

DreadPirateRoberts cost me $250.

At a house warming party, if memory serves, he pointed at the main water cutoff valve and asked if I'd tested it. Seemed like a good idea, figured I'd get around to doing that eventually.

Well, flash forward to yesterday. Attached to the same pipe as the cutoff valve is a spigot for a hose. It leaks, so I planned to replace it, should be simple enough. I pick up a replacement at Home Depot, and begin my test of the water cutoff valve.

No problem, it does exactly what it's supposed to do and cuts off the water. Unfortunately, the old spigot wouldn't budge. I gave that thing all I had, went at it with a mallet and a pipe wrench. Didn't wiggle a centimeter. So I eventually gave up, resolving to eventually have a pro come out and deal with it.

And that's when I learned a valuable lesson in homeownership...don't go messing with utility lines after 6PM on a holiday.

Sure, the cutoff valve shut the water off no problem. Once I'd given up on replacing the spigot, I go to turn it back on. I turned the handle on the valve. And turned it. And turned it. And turned it...oh crap. Clearly DPR cursed me.

Seems the valve froze in the closed position and the handle snapped off and was spinning freely. Damn, hell, crap, hell damn. I mean, as failures go, that was certainly better than the alternate scenario of, "Something is gushing water and the valve busted in the open position," but still. Had to call a plumber out (who took 2.5 hours to show up). And of course it was no simple job, this being the 30 year old valve for the main supply, and right next to a wall forcing him to have to cut the pipe and solder in a new valve rather than just do a simple replacement.

And the real kicker...I asked if, while he was working on it anyway, the plumber might try to replace the spigot. He took one look at the old one and said, "You couldn't get it off because it's not threaded, it's soldered on." :mad:

I think the cardinal rule of home ownership is "If the house hasn't fallen down it is good enough and we'll probably move before it does."

:blush: Uh oh. I still maintain it was better to find out now, as opposed to when the upstairs toilet hose explodes and starts flooding your house, and you discover the shutoff handle comes off in your hand with the valve still in the open position.

I will strive to repay my debt. The next time you find me at DL, the churros are on me...

I feel a bit sick today.

This is not good. I have a lot I need to try and accomplish.

I think that's also called the Pressler approach.

Hurrah for you!

My days are so strangely timed. I sseem to do thing in an order that I just can't get used to. i wake up, drink coffee - all normal - then I go to work - THEN i take a shower and get presentable. After that, I work some more. I suppose i could get up really early and take a shower first, but the dogs aren't going to care of I'm clean and my hair isn't a mess. It just makes me feel a bit off. But, then, I AM a bit off, so what's the big deal.

We just found out our jobs may be outsourced. Boss is making a case to keep us all here but in the end he has no say. /sigh

Oh that is major suckage. :(

I hope your boss is persuasive BTD.

What is it with me finding funny stuff to distract me all day.

http://internetzillionaire.com/

Looks like I'll be procrastinating for a while ;)

Well, the notebook just arrived a few minutes ago!!! :) Me quite pleased.

Now, to learn about removing Norton. Why do I have a feeling this is easier said than done?

Shouldn't be difficult, just find your Control Panel and go to Add/Remove Programs.

Yay! That's exciting! Congrats on your new notebook!

Fabric district yesterday was awesome, but definitely need to start in the morning next time so we can make it to the garment district too... or perhaps a special trip just to the garment district?

I didn't try on any tiaras this time... :( I always try on tiaras while I'm there. I feel like missed something. Well, next time I'll have to try on twice as many to make up for it!

Today's dilemma: which of the dozens of shoes should I pack to take with me to NY?

I'm so up for another visit to the garmet district. I didn't spend nearly enough money. ;)

Is a garmet any relation to a marmot?

Let's play "what else can go wrong today!"

While today just sucks I am grateful I haven't had one of these days in a very long time.

Congrats!! What did you get?

Ugh... I did. WTF $12/yard???

I had an AWESOME day at work today - all the jerks and cheapskates stayed home today, and the pleasant, courteous people (LOT'S OF 'EM) showed up today. The sales manager said she has something "pretty" for me, for last week's crazy sales, as well as for today's achievements.

:D

You know, in this crowd, it's akin to asking if it's a "boy or a girl"... ;)

Thanks!

It's a Dell Inspiron 9400 w/ Intel Duo Core Processor, 17" screen, 2 gigs of RAM, 160 Gig HD, 256 MB Radeon, DVD Burner.

And, I've a feeling that I'll be spending as much time with it as if it were a newborn child. :)

Instead of listening to the kids mocking your old comp dino, you'll be worrying about them stealing this one!

Congrats, MBC!

Chris now has the evil cold thing. It seems GC may be getting it as well.

I said to Chris "Brad thinks he's getting sick" He replied "Brad thinks he's an insect?".

The cold has obviously landed in his ears first.

I love jinxing myself.

Today we had a virus take down 2 servers. YAY!

Yes, not only did I wake up sick and disoriented - I went to work only to discover that I had put my underpants on backwards when I couldn't find my wang hole in standing in front of the urinal. Suddenly I realized why my pants fit so strangely.

Duly submitted to the quotes engine, your honor. :D

I sure hope it appears on the top of the page either before or after GD's post about his "flossing" experience.

They are overbooked at the hotel and I didn't need two beds, so I'm in one of their presidential suites. Huge room with sitting area (three couches and three comfy chairs), dining area with long conference table, kitchenette, etc... It's on the corner, so two long walls of windows. I can see the bridge. The drawbacks are that it's a business-type room, so a smaller teevee than in other rooms, and it's around the corner from the bed - in the sitting area. And the bed is sort of a murphy bed - it comes down out of a wall unit so you can put it up while you have your business meeting. And it's New York, so people are noisy - outside, in the halls, etc...

But, it's a big room, with views. And it's got the super nice Bath and Body Works amenities. And I have the satisfaction of learning, on someone else's dime, that I have NO interest in moving to New York. Ever.

Meanwhile, party in my room!

Sometimes it is just too easy :D

I'll be right over!

Dear News Media,
Anna Nicole Smith and Britney are not newsworthy. There's no need to cover either of them for two freaking weeks straight!
Signed,
Me

Especially when there was a wacky astronaut that was glossed over.

Soooo...
We're supposed to get snow tonight.



Crap.

I recently discovered mine backwards and inside out. Those are the moments I regret switching to boxer briefs over regular briefs.

Oh yeah, they were inside out too - wonder if that contributes to the error?

But, you did make coffee this morning! And it was FINE!

That was before I put on any pants

That line is particularly poignant in light of your current signature.

Awww. What's wrong with NYC?

That's sweet about the upgrade though! :)

It's pouring buckets of rain, two cars almost ran into my on the trip in because they did not bother to signal nor look to see if anyone (me) was in the lane next to them.

On the bright side, I realized today that in just over a month I will be at Disneyland and using my brand spanking new AP for the very first time. :D

Life is pretty good!

my mom just told me my kitty Tigger had a seizure last night :(

He's 21. Poor kitty.

:(

Kitty hugs for you and your Tigger

So...

T I Double G RRRRRRR

What a sweet face! Him's a cutie.

Well, I just booked Susan on a flight to Florida. She leaves Saturday and comes back next Thursday. Going out for her cousin's funeral.

I'm not looking forward to being alone all that time. Pisser. Anybody wanna come over and play? I should have the HD all set up by then.

Why don't you come over here, Kevy?

You can watch Robot Chicken, Turkish Star Wars, and Super Xuxa VS. Satan.

Tempting thought. But if HD gets installed as planned on Saturday, I may have a hard time tearing myself away from the new wonder. I probably won't care what I watch, as long as it is in HD.

We've got HD here, too - and some genuinely weird DVDs

I just spent a week alone (Lani got back from Japan today). On the one hand I was able to clean house and be able to make executive decisions that wouldn't otherwise get made.

On the other, I slept poorly.

That is exactly what I thought!!! Such expression.

Well. I just returned home from 4th & B downtown S.D. where the Hubster and myself saw....

Cheap Trick! All four original members, too.

Okay. Um. I have their albums, GD, and I surely felt old as their last show I saw was New Years Eve '81. {meaning it turned '81....}

They were great. All of them. And, no crowd surfing or moshing so we were able to stand up front without being kicked in the head or smashed against the railing. Two things I appreciate.

Sorry you will be alone. I would clean. But, since you have HD, well, I would probably watch t.v.

Do they have Tae Bo on HD? Or, um, FUSE?

4 inches of Hail on my car last night! :cool:

Nick and I drove to Tulare lesterday. We came home with 2 girls. They have both started to adjust very nicely to their new home.

Cool Mousy - new kitties!

___________________

One of the biggest reasons I am bummed about Susan leaving (besides the reason WHY she is going) is that we have not been able to spend much time together lately. I've been working some insane hours since the first of the year and things were just beginning to slow down (to 50-55 hours a week). The first (mostly) full weekend I had off was last weekend and she was gone all day Saturday and Sunday working. We had the RAC with us for 2-3 weeks and that puts a crimp in alone time. I know she has a few quilt shows coming up that she has to work (weekends) and I was looking forward to having this one weekend to spend with her.

OK, enough of my whining.

LOL Only kitties around here are the "wild" strays that are outside. I can't even imagine Pooh's response if he saw a cat in the house. The rats don't phase him, he just sits at the back door and watches. Cats, however, would be a different story.

Ooooo.... We're about to hit page 666!

Kevy is making fun of me.

I get this. I know my last post was that we went to a concert together but, we both had to rush home from work, him picking up pizza and me the Boy. We slammed down a Monster and hit the road. When we got there, no lallygagging around as it started to rain so we had to head straight to the venue. No talking, of course, inside. After, home and sleep.

He has been working long hours as you speak of and it will only get worse as his 'left arm' is resigning.

I was so excited just a few minutes ago when he called and said he missed me and had a brainstorm...I thought 'My birthday is coming up, he is going to mention going someplace and I am so up for that. Don't bitch about money or the kids just go....'

It was about work. :(

My whine for the day to join yours.

666 eh?

666- PAGE OF THE DEVIL!!!!

MW - You saw Cheap Trick!!!! I spend about 3 NYE with them in the late 70's early 80's at the Lond Beach Arena. I still love them.

New rodents!! Pictures.

BTD - How's Tigger doing?

Kevy, you could come up to LA with us on Saturday for the swanking. I can't promise we won't have food with eyes, though.

Until today, I was anti-cat tree, I still am, nonetheless, I caved in a bought this ugly thing. Tango, however, is going to absolutely love it.

I will learn to live with it. :blush:

Yes! Wasn't it a kick to see them then? They are still a great rock band and I was glad the crowd was mellow. That new years eve show was the last one I saw but we'd gone to 2 or 3 prior.

I was a little bummed Robin Zanders didn't come out in a white suit with a skinny black tie. I guess that would be too much to ask. :blush:

Snowflake, your kitty will love that! We have a tiny little gym for our kitty and thank God cause she was tearing up the walls!

[quote=Not Afraid;122017]BTD - How's Tigger doing?
[\QUOTE]

I'm going with no news is good news. I am going to try and go to my parents house this weekend and Erica will be coming by on Monday.

I am petrified that he is "waiting" for us to be there. :(

Hmm, now I'm wondering if there's such a thing as swanky cat trees.

Well, as far as cat trees go, I think this would qualify as swanky, it does have, after all, a hammock, among other things. I'd love a hammock for me!

Short of building a cat track around the perimeter of the rooms of the apartment for her to climb and run around, this is the lesser of the evils.

Runnnin with the DevilLLLL!!!!! -666! -brought to you by David Lee Roth.:evil:

Wow. I've just received my first ever little work recognition award thingy. I've been taken to lunch, I've received gifts (e.g., an iPod), but this is the first time I've gotten one of those little corporate recognition plaque/statue-ish things.

And you know what...I think that's pretty cool. I'm mean, sure it's trite, it's plastic, it's not particularly interesting to look at, and it's inconsistently manufactured (for example, some of the ones given out have rubber feet, others don't). But damnit, I earned it.

Congratulations! The most I've ever gotten were some candles and a waterglobe (not from the same people) at Christmastime, not really a huge ego boost, but the waterglobe was at least Mickey. No plaques for the self-employed.

"Plaque" is a generous term for a printed sticker and a part from one of our products (probably from the reject pile) encased in lucite.

Congrats GD! That sounds great.:)

Yes, I will be taking pictures tomorrow.

Holly is def my rat more than Nick (already). She is responding to my voice and chooses me over him. She still trembles, but is otherwise great. Just now I found her sleeping in the hammock with Thud and Sweetie. One bit of worry is that she doesn't seem to stop eating... I am watching her tummy closely.

Baby stays in their house, but once she is out on someone is very social. Getting her out of their house can be quite an ordeal.

Change your posts-per-page setting. I'm only on page 133.

I'm on 67. Only 1/10th the evil.

A friend used to have a street address of 665. She always joked that she was the neighbor of the beast.

That's great GD! Congrats.

It's so nice to be recognised.....

No if I can only get a raise after, what, 6 YEARS!!!!

I spent the night with 2 Doxies - one who is the David Lynch's The Angriest Dog come to life. They both slept with me - under the covers. Every time I moved my feet Mr. Angry would growl. I get to do it again tonight.

One of my classes had an assignment on analyzing Disney's management style. I got full credit. I know. What a shock.

Dial-up sucks.

€uro was a Wi-Fi ho for a bit, JW- he could tell you all the Swanky hotspots to stake out.;)

So this guy tried to follow us into our apartment when we got home tonight:




He was very friendly and had no problem with letting himself be picked up and within 30 seconds of me doing so he was nuzzling me and purring. Very obviously a house socialized cat.

No collar, but not at all emaciated, clean and no sign of trauma. The quandary of what to do next was Pixel (our cat). Pixel is not at all socialized to other cats so we had no idea how'd she'd react if we brought this one into the house while we decided what to do. But we tried it.

Not a good reaction. Full psycho-kitty mode. Hissing and all that jazz (the only other time I've see Pixel hiss is when we tried some catnip bubbles; she didn't like those at all).

So, obviously we can just let them comingle while we wait and see if anybody comes looking for a cat. So off we go to the county animal shelter which I'm pretty sure will be closed but does have a night deposit area. Yep, it was closed. But for some reason the night deposit area was padlocked.

At this point, though, we've touched it enough that we can't just let it go again and hope for the best. So we decided we'd lock it in the bathroom overnight to keep the cats separate and take it back to the shelter when it opens tomorrow. We do that (it uses the litter box we set up immediately and goes right to sleep in Lani's lap; very laid back cat, it also hadn't cared one lick about the car ride) and I create a couple found cat flyers to post at the nearby mailboxes in our complex.

While I'm doing that a woman walks towards me and shouts "is that a flyer for a cat?"

"Yes, did you lose one?"

"Nope, did you?"

It turns out that this cat suddenly showed up several days ago at the next building over from us and keeps following people into their apartments. Nobody had taken him in (permanently), but various people had been feeding it and it had a preferred spot in a nearby bush.

She offered to take it from me for the night so Pixel could stop feeling violated. When I dropped it off she said she'd take full responsiblity for it because she doesn't want it to be dropped off at the shelter since there'd be a risk of euthenasia (though if ever there was an adult cat with the temperament to get adopted it is this one). They'll take it down tomorrow to get scanned and I'll be responsible for mainting found signs for a while.

But the consensus among the people who've been feeding it is that it was abandoned by a family that moved out of one of that building's units last weekend.

I really hope that's not the case.

90 minutes later and Pixel still hasn't come out from under the bed.

It's hard to imagine a cat with that temperament would be abandoned. I hope (new/old) owners are found soon.

Sounds like he succeeded

Yeah, I don't get that. The last cat we adopted (Rufio*) was found wandering through Brea Canyon (with the coyotes in the canyon, he wouldn't have made it through the night). He was in great shape, pads looked good, etc. A little skittish (we suspect that he was abused as he still sometimes cowers if he feels threatened at all by a human), but a total sweetheart.

* We named him Rufio because he is our "Lost Boy"

Yipeee!!!! ;)

I hadn't looked at that before. That's a good price for something that big!

I'd always want to chant:

Rufio! Rufio! Rufio!

Due to the death of her cousin, Susan flew out to Florida today. Got a decent fare on United ($465 round trip - not bad for last minute). Took her to Ontario airport this morning. She was flying through DFW (One of United's hubs).

About the time of her layover, she gives me a call. I ask her how Dallas is. She informs me she is in El Paso. WTF? Turns out that DFW was closed due to high winds. They had a later flight scheduled from El Paso to DFW then on to Florida.

Long story short (I just finished typing my epic novel on the satellite installation), no flight out of El Paso today. They put her up in a hotel for the night. They have her booked on a Continental fllight that leaves at 6:00 in the morning, so she has to get up around 3:30 so she has time to get something to eat and get to the airport early (the security check at El Paso is S-L-O-W).

Also, the flight on Continental is not a direct from El Paso to Tampa (I think she is going through Houston - one of Continental's hubs).

Between this problem and the Satellite installation issues, it has not been a good day.

I'm sorry to hear about that. My condolances to you and Susan.

Not to mention the edition of the ugly cat furniture and the satellite installation fun!

Although, I'm considering caving in on the cat tree when I get new couches to see if they will be more likely to leave the couches alone. :rolleyes:

Well, after many years of trying, we couldn't get our son straightned out. He is 19, got kicked out of the 10th grade, dropped out of continuation school, continues with drugs, won't get a job (other than selling weed), and refused to help out around the house He has been arrested several times, and drives with out a lisence or insurance or seat belt. He broke all of our rules, and as much as we tried to talk to him about it, he continued to do so. He even let his girlfriend move in and neither paid rent or utilities.

The Landlord had enough, we kicked him out of the house. It was kick him out or move in 30 days. He has no money, no where to stay, no food. He stays in his girl friends car, or at a friends house or Motel once in a while. It rips my heart out, but he just wouldn't accept that he had to do something with his life. He refused any kind of counseling through our Doctor, and counsiling through our youth pastor at our church.

He hung out with the wrong kids (after we told him not to) in school, has become something of a White Supremist, and shave his head and got a tatoo that says DGAF (don't give a f**k).

This is not the way we are, and my daughter is 22 and in coladge full time, workin a full time job, and a part time job. She is studing to be a Homicide detective, and will be applying to become a deputy Sheriff soon. So I don't think it was the way we raised him.

Now he says we don't care about him, don't love him, and that we just wanted to get rid of him (and not the landlord, but US!) He says he did nothing wrong, and does not understand how we could just toss him out the door like that.

Tough love sucks. I just hope that some day he will come around, and understand. I also hope that he doesn't have to go to jail or get hurt (or worse) before he learns his lesson.

Ouch RStar... that's rough (what you arew going through). Tough love is a bitch. Stay strong and know that you are doing the best for your son.

Bob,

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is also the right thing. He has the knowledge to do the right thing, he just has to choose to use it.

Alex, Pixel will adjust if you do it slowly. I've introduced many at cat to each other and it takes a bit of time, but I'm sure Pixel would actually love to have a companion - especially one as loving as this one is. Call me if you want some advice. I think this cat is yours and Pixel will learn to love him over time.

Yes, I know she'd adjust if it were absolutely necessary (I've introduced many cats to each other over the years and immediately reconciliation is the exception not the rule). That said, Pixel is very solitary and I don't know that a friendship would have been in the future.

It would just have been a long night of unnecessarily emotional trauma for her if it could be avoided. But if we'd dropped this guy off at the pound and it looked like he was going to end up euthanized we would have claimed him and done the work necessary to reconcile them.

But I don't want a second cat; though I would have taken it in becaues as soon as I picked it up and brought it in the house for some food I accepted certain responsibilities. So it is best that this neighbor of ours is willing to take responsibility for it and keep it if no one speaks for it.

Boo did the same thing. We put up fliers and took him to the vet to make sure he didn't have any illnesses that could be passed on to our other kitties. He had a collar ring but no collar. It took him about a week to take over the house.

Flying out of JFK is annoying. Taxing for 90 minutes before taking off is annoying. At least we landed on time and made it out before the storm hit.

So, how did it all turn out, Prudence? (And welcome home!)

After a frustrating day of travel (2 flights, both delayed), I'm sitting in a Denver hotel room exhausted. Couldn't sleep last night... hard for me to wind down after an evening of hurry up and wait, plus I never sleep well in a strange bed.

Today will be hell... with danishes and speeches. Hurrah! Where's that 10 gallon coffee urn? I NEED IT!

Sam....what is it you are up to?

I described it more in the other thread.

Oh, but I didn't describe the sight-seeing.

Wednesday we went to some little brick oven pizza place in Brooklyn, where the waiter chided one of my coaches for getting a diet Pepsi with her pizza, and gave me a relieved "Thank You" for ordering a regular Coke. The pizza was good, but I didn't see it as the second coming as some of the rest did.

Thursday I basically practiced and did moot court stuff.

Friday we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and damn if I didn't get all misty-eyed thinking of my great-grandparents going through Ellis Island. We printed out the record for my great-grandmother, who came here as a 26-year old spinster from Switzerland because clearly nothing was going to happen for her back home. The buildings on the island are absolutely beautiful. Apparently I'd never seen color photos, because surely I would have remembered how beautiful they are. I hope they finish restoration of some areas. The hospital buildings are still blocked off. They had some displays of artifacts immigrants had brought with them through Ellis Island that had been donated by later generations. There were individual items, and, in some cases, displays of numerous items from a single family. There were also reproductions of photos of the immigrants before their immigration, complete with notation as to who they were, where they were from, and where in this country they settled. There was so much to see there that we didn't have a chance to do it all.

The Statue was also pretty interesting. You can't go up inside the statue any more, but with some additional security screening (going through the metal detector and xray again, with addition of the air puffer thingy) you can climb to the top of the pedestal and go out on that balcony. (You can take an elevator, too, but we're purists and climbed the 156 steps ourselves.) Inside the top of the pedestal they have some glass windows up above so that you can look up and see elements of the construction. Again, I apparently learned nothing earlier in my life about the construction, so that was very interesting. In the lower levels of the pedestal they have exhibits about the construction of the statute. It was VERY windy Friday. It wasn't that cold, but the wind was as biting as I've ever felt.

Saturday, I we got eliminated in the morning, so we spent the rest of the day in Manhattan. First we went through the World Trade Center memorials and whatnot. It was simultaneously so overwhelming as to be inconceivable, and very, very individual, with names and photos and hopes and plans attached to each victim.

We also went into both Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel. St. Paul's also has fun things like George Washington's pew, and it's all pink and blue walls inside. It's also where the most surreal event of the trip took place: As we were looking at one of the exhibits of the mementos that were left all along the fence after 9/11, a little old man just started talking to me about how he was there then, and how amazing it was to see the whole fence just covered in items. And then he pointed out the picture of Giuliani and was explaining that he was mayor at the time (like I'd been living under a rock, but he was a sweet old guy so I went along with it.) And then he informed me that Giuliani was running for President, and he thought it would be great if Giuliani and Hillary ran on the same ticket. Then, he turns to me in all seriousness and says: "You should run for President!" He was, apparently, going to be my Chief of Staff. And as I was leaving he said again, very seriously, "You really should run for President." I guess I have my first East Coast endorsement.

After that, we headed to midtown and walked around Times Square and the theatre district, before stopping to eat at Junior's. Yes, we had cheesecake. Ryan also had matzo ball soup and an egg cream, just to make sure we covered all our touristy bases. From there, we walked all over the area, seeing as much as we could see on our way to, what else, but the NY WoD store. Because we had to. When we were done there, we were totally exhausted and went back to the hotel.

Sunday we met a friend of mine in the Village for brunch at Elephant and Castle. I wish we'd had more time to explore that area.

We didn't get to Central Park or Broadway or the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens or Jacques Torres or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, but we did get more done that I expected. By the time we left, I liked NY much more than I had when I got there. The people are amazing. The New Yorkers were all extremely helpful and proud of their city. The rudest people we encountered were all tourists from other countries. (Including some astoundingly rude British tourists at the Statue - maybe they're still a bit resentful?) I don't know if I could live some place that dense, but the people would really make it more bearable, I think.

And I really wish we had a subway here. Subways are wonderful things. Even though some of the lines were closed or rerouted Sunday for construction, it was still easy to navigate.

Prudence for President!

Is there some cosmic battle between Diet Pepsi and Coke of which I'm unaware and has wearied waitstaffs choosing sides?

And Seattle has the bus tunnels which I've always admired for their flexibility.

I was down near St. Paul's on Saturday too! How funny. My friend had a hotel right across from WTC at the Millennium Hilton. It's a nice hotel, just renovated.

I'd vote for Prudence for President.

Now my kitty Springer is sick and they don't know what is wrong with him. :(

I've just been set up with a brand new laptop at work. It's great (Latitude D820), but I loathe the process of getting a new system up to speed. It's weeks before all my apps' settings are the way I like them and I get used to the quirks. Grrr.

I don't blame you for being upset ! Insist on having your old one back immediately ! :p

I'm at a joint DOD (Dept of Defense) conference for the users and administrators of SPS (Standard Procurement System)

Exciting stuff ;)

Heh, I actually have my old one as well, which will ease the transition for sure.

3/5s of our ticket staff called in sick today - so I get some extra work, and a few extra dollars... Good thing I had a big breakfast.

What sort of symptoms?

We moved offices today. I am now living in a cube farm. This will probably result in less time online at work since anyone walking by can basically see whatever I'm doing on my computer. Very sucky.

Oh! I hope your kitty gets better soon! I hate it when our fuzzy little friends are sick. :(

Same here. I use to be in a lab all by myself, with the back of my monitor facing the door (by my design ;) ). Now I'm in a lab with 3 other people and a wall mounted flat screen monitor for all the world to see. I only go on at lunch anymore. And at home of course.

Yeah, yeast and bladder infections suck.

So...... tomorrow I start my new job and I'm totally underwhelmed. I feel like it's "Back to Prison Day" for me. Bleh.

I mean, yes, it's money... but... bleh.

:(

It is money but also I hope it goes over better than you think it may. :D

Not eating, sleeping alot. I talked to my mom tonight, she said he was eating kitty treats (true Springer fashion, refuse except what you like). He has a fever and is at the vet tonight. They gave him antibiotics and IV fluids. They think it is a kidney problem :(

Tigger, on the other hand is doing a lot better.

I think my brain is shedding...

I hope so, too. :)

It feels like tomorrow's the first day of school or something.
:D
I hate that feeling.

You'll be fine. People like you. If they don't, f'em. :evil:

Just like school.

But we are smarter than that now...right?

{I know I am dealing with a young co-worker who really doesn't like me. What she doesn't realize is that by her trying to give me grief, I am able to flex my muscles and give her real, not made up, grief....I love it. :evil: }

Springer

Kidney stuff CAN be managed but it can be tricky. Oftentimes you have to give Sub Q fluids regularly (which is not terribly difficult, just a PITA). If they recommend perscription food (which they probably will) I HIGHLY recommend Royal Canin.

Welcome back to the world of the walking dead :rolleyes:

Bleh, but money can be a nice thing to have

And you would know...how? :p

My Boris is still going strong, even with kidney issues. There are some meds that can help improve what function is left. (Boris is on Norvasc and potassium powder, and will probably add a third after his annual exam coming up next month.)

Soooo...

Is anyone else really, really sick of Oprah? I swear, if I hear "Oprah says..." or "Oprah did....." one more time I am going to lose it. Last night, I was reading Suzy Orman's (sp?) column and I mentioned that I liked her, so my MIL ruined it by saying "Oprah discovered her!" (She is a die-hard Oprah fan). I just closed the magazine and tossed it on the table. :rolleyes:

OMG yes. If I saw one more commerical for her TV speical last night I was going to loose my one remaining marble. Bleh. It's lovely that you do good works and all but bringing along the cameras to show the world how wonderful you are isn't the way to do it.

And did anyone see her Oscar special? Bleh. Her introductions were "done from home" and she was watching "just like you". Umm I don't think her home is quite like my home.

Then she crashed the Sidney Poitier/Jamie Foxx interview to make it all about her anyway.

The only time i am exposed to oprah is her billboards and the occasional magazine I see at the market or a Dr.'s Office. It's a good thing.

At least she doesn't have an annoying saying I end up quoting like Martha Stewart.

Katiesue nailed it- Oprah sure gets a lot of mileage out of her 'good works'. I don't dispute that she does them, but she also reaps a lot of bennies out of the publicity she gets. I think the whole Hermes flap is what really did it for me, not that I've ever liked her. She tried to crash a business that not only was closed but also in the middle of an employee meeting, then cries racism when she is denied entry. Load of crap.

...and that's a Good Thing©

(You forgot the ©, NA... don't want you to get sued)

I happened to catch about 5 minutes of Oprah on Ellen last week. That, and the Oprah/Letterman commercial during the Super Bowl are my total Oprah exposure for the last many months.

Oh the other Oprah thing that bugged me from her crashing the Poitier/Foxx interview was she said the clip from Look Who's Coming to Dinner where Poitier's character says to his father something like "you see yourself as a black man. I see myself as a man" and how she loved that part and it changed her life blah blah. And yet she plays the black card at every given opportunity.

I wonder if Oprah has ever paid public homage to the person/s who discovered her? I suppose she discovered herself, though.

Currently Oprah's on my sh!t list for peddling this trash.

Oh, I didn't realize she was behind that (or if I knew I'd forgotten).

Ok. I'll despise her.

Heh heh...she did get my MIL to read "Beloved", which she did not even remotely begin to understand. I thought it sucked hugely, but then I'm not a dead black woman so I must not 'get it'.

This time she didn't start the buzz, but she endorsed it, said she's been living by "the secret" her whole life and didn't even realize it, or some bs like that. The excerpts I've seen from it make me want to hurl.

"I'm picking up :cakes: vibrations..."

Oprah, for the most part, makes me want to hurl. She wields enormous power over people and things that they must need to have. Does she get a cut from all she endorses?

I would not have a problem with her book club if there was something more recommended than the feel good/new age crap she prefers. Of course, I did take delight when she did get caught with her pants down some months back with the author flap (that I can't recall the details of right now).

I applaud her good works, but it got me thinking as I watched the Sherie Lansing Jean Hersholt presentation, now there's a person who is doing really good works, bravo Sherie. I don't get that with Oprah, she does plenty of good works, with her camera crew around to document the entire process. Then she does a TV special to highlight it.

Oh well, she's the one making billions, at least she's not in charge of Disneyland, I don't know if I could stand the Oprahfication.

You're not? :eek:

Doh!

Well, I might have been in a past life.....where's the Corndogwalker?

I watched the special last night on the Leadership School for Girls. The girls' stories were amazing. They have been through quite a lot. I hope that the school gives them the opportunity to shine that they otherwise would likely not have been given.

I think the flap Snow's referring to is the one where the author of "A Million Little Pieces" got nailed for fabricating much of his so-called memoir. Ms. Oprah seemed more pissed about beng fooled by Frey than the fact that millions of her fans might have gotten ripped off.

That's the one! Thanks, WB!:snap:

Oprah is the living definition of a narcissist.

And from what I've heard, a control freak and a raging Bitch to boot.

Im not sure you can become one of the richest people in entertainment without being all-of-the-above

Sure you can. J.K. Rowling comes to mind.

Heh, the "secret" - remember when this was called, "The Power of Positive Thinking."

Yeah, but this is far more hocus pocus than that. This isn't, "Thinking positively will get you to do positive things." This is, "Think of what you want, and only what you want and it will happen, regardless of anything in the real world." To the point that the book actually says that if you want to be thin, you should avoid even looking at fat people as that causes "fat thoughts" which will cause you to be fat.

And one of the proponents is on record saying that it is a fundamental physical law of the universe like gravity. Of course, like much woo, when it doesn't work it is just because you didn't have enough faith.

Heh- some may argue that she isn't. ;)

Ah well, then I remember it when it was called "Lifespring"

I remember going to a Lifespring event with our high school friend and his mom. Somebody, I forget if it was our friend's father or someone else, had recently fallen off the roof of his house and broken his leg. The response to this news, said without a trace of irony, was something like, "My gosh, why would he want to do that?"

I thought Secret was a brand of deodorant.

Something definitely stinks.

SSshhhhh... 3894 might have written it ! ;)

Ooh, found out I am the top user of teh Internet at work today. Got the stink eye. :(

Moving to another house today.

People sure are pissed at me lately.

American Idol is on tonight. The guys sing and last week they really sucked. Suspect more suckage tonight.

Nifty new avitar. Now playing!

In an odd bit of convergence - the last NPR's "This I Believe is a piece called Creating Our Own Happiness by Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips). Must be the Laws of Attraction at work ;)

Went to visit Springer today. He looked pissed to be at the vet. That is a good sign. He was also growling at me after he had enough attention and made a move to bite me. Another good sign. (Springer has a serious attitude).

The vet said he has to be there at least 2 more days and that he has been sick for awhile but no one could tell. His kidney function is getting a bit better, but not enough for the vet to think he is going to be fully ok yet. Erica talked to him more, hopefully she will come on with more info.

My poor pringer is sick :(

Tigger is doing better. Gained a few ounces, followed us around meowing.

((BTD)) ((BTD's Kitties))

I'm married. When she's got 'em, I know about it.

BTW: did you know that men can get yeast infections as well? Never had one myself thankfully.

Wow, I lost a lot of money today.

:(

Paper Loss to be sure

Yeah, I probably did too, but I wasn't going to put my hands on it any time soon anyways.

Soooo, Mister Cricket, how was work?

Me brave 'em first day work. Me survive 'em unscathed. Heap big work ahead of me. No sad on face, me need wampum badly. Some people work 'em there heap big dinglecheeses.
Signed,
Chief Runs with Crickets

PS ~ Me try and get 'em day off on March 10. Big chief birthday.
:)

CompUSA is closing in the LA area.

I wonder if they will have some decent going out of business sales.

LOL! So, right before they decided to close the Tower Records in LB, the Best Buy (that shared a space with Tower under the name WOW) closed and Comp USA moved into the vacated shared space. A few month afterwards, Tower announced their closeure. Comp USA hasn't seemed very busy.

Now they are closing and it seems they are putting yet another Walgreens of CVS in the former Tower spot . Lord knows we need more drug stores to do battle in the BIG DRUGSTORE WAR that seems to be going on between the two.

:cheers: I am sooo sick, I got the flu coming home yesterday. Yuck!!

I hope Runs With Crickets will have some time to run with Wendybeth in early April. I'm glad your first day went okay, even if you do have to mingle with the dingles!

...And Lashbear !! He's MY dinglecheese too, ya know ! :p





..er, did that come out right?

It appears as though I might actually be in town in early April. Blessing, mixed or otherwise... or so I must believe.

Yaaaaayyy !! :D

Here'e hoping the trail will be easier for Chief Runs With Crickets as the moons pass.

It's not worth worrying about things that are beyond my control.

So, I'm a little weirded out by my alter ego.

Apparently someone with my exact first and last name is getting married the weekend after our wedding. And they're registered at the exact same stores we are.*

What if a not-as-close cousin confuses California with Texas, June 9 with 16, and disregards that my fiance's name is Tom? We're really just happy to have people attend, but if someone is going to be so generous as to gift us with something, I will not have that Texan NAME-STEALER steal it!

*Our taste is better, though.

And you are registered where? Hmm?

Oh, the joy of having an unusual name. We considered it shocking that anyone else with my last name was registered, and nothing close on the first and last combo.

My cousins owned the hardware store where we were registered, so we didn't have any name confusion issues.

Did you register at the Twilight Zone?? :eek:

It's after 5:00 and I'm all alone in the lab. so natch, I'm on LoT!

Oh, and on top of everything else, I'm being "questioned" by the IRS. Got a April 10th appointment. :mad: :eek: :evil:

I'm gonna register somewhere just for fun and see if I get anything...

1300 posts!! Someone throw a party!

I've searched for Amazon wish lists before...but other than that I'm not going to check every store ;)

If Springer doesn't get better by tomorrow they may have to send him to kitty heaven. /sob

What if the name stealer has some not-too-bright relatives that end up getting you something from the imposter's list? Even if it is crap, you can return it and use the money to buy something for yourself.

Think positive!

Yep. Not really sweatin' it. I think I got about 6 or 7% of it back today.

I watch more for trends than dailies.

:( :( :(

I hope he improves overnight.

I'm sorry BTD, I missed your post. I hope Springer gets well tonight!!! {{{{hugs}}}}

Poor Springer! I'll keep my fingers crossed and pray for the gods of kitty health to visit him.

Thank you.

My mom is going to bring him home tomorrow and see how he does Friday and Saturday. He is a very stubborn cat so he isn't eating and he is not happy to be at the vet.

He's been sick for a really long time and no one knew. He didn't have any symptoms. :(

So, I may be getting a car tomorrow. Well see how it all pans out. If it pans out, I'll tell y'all more.
:)

Soooo....
We're at Costco tonight and my MIL realised that she hadn't renewed her card yet. I offered to buy the stuff she had and told her she could just pay me back. Nothing big, just a couple of books and a shirt. Well, the cashier starts gushing about the two copies of the same book I'm getting for the MIL, when it suddenly dawned on me: it's that Secrets book they were discussing at the LoT. It took every bit of restraint I had not to say anything, but ****!!! I made a slightly snarky comment about the Cult of Of Oprah and sheep in general, but the cashier just gave me a blank look.

We got something like 8 inches of snow last night. It's freakin' March here, people! WTF?!

And it's one of those snows where it only hit places from Shoreline north - so not Seattle proper - so we're frozen in, with schools closed and roads iced over, but it's all just fine at work, of course.

It's when you're down too often that you should worry.

:D

A car and a job in the same week? Life is moving fast

Fingers crossed for you and for Springer BtD, he looks to be a real sweetie.

Bwahahahaha, OMG, this is too funny.

Do tell (and congratulations) if it all pans out.

I have a cold and my throat is killing me. I hope it's not strep :(

If it's been more than 4 hours, you should call a doctor.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!
Happy St David's Day!

We're out of creamer so I put vanilla ice cream in my coffee. Breakfast of champions!

damn this snow. dammit to heck and back again!

I wonder if Kevy is still up?

Snow is better than what I have to look forward to tomorrow. Wintry mix, anyone?

Hey, why not. Ice cream is just frozen cream!

Yeah, but theoretically your boss knows that wintry mix sucks and won't expect miracles, where as Ryan's says "no snow down here - what's your problem?"

It's official... getting pissed and snapping at your clutter is a good thing. In 5 minutes, I got rid of a large box of crap. I will try to repeat this feat tonight.

What a way to ruin a nice bit of ice cream.

Prudence, you may hate it but you better hold on to this weather for another two weeks. So far my business trips have missed all of the snow this winter.

I know you don't care for coffee, but I've done this and it's goooood!

No strep, just allergies from all the dust at work.

I went to CompUSA since they are going out of business. I wanted to see if I Could get a deal on an external drive and the guy who was helping me asked me what I was looking for. So, I said a 120gig external 3.5in drive, usb2 with no external power source. He kept trying to get me to buy a bigger drive that wasn't what i was looking for while insisting it was what I was looking for. I looked at him and said I'm a Network Admin*. I know what I am looking for. thanks. bye.

He looked like he didn't know what happened. I hate being treated like I know nothing about electronics.

*not one quite yet but close enough to claim the title while electronics shopping and dealing with tech support.

Right after I posted that I realized I ws REALLY opening myself up for something.

So, I am just a big goof. As I have posted previously, Susan has been in Florida since Saturday (well, due to flight problems in Texas, since Sunday). Because of my work schedule, and her working some weekends, we really haven't been able to spend much time together. I find myself on the verge of tears that I miss her so much right now.

I am tracking her flight on FlyteComm - which shows actual real-time flight data. I kept hitting refresh so I could see the second she touched down (in Dallas) so that I could text her. Ihad the message all composed and clicked send the second she touched down.


She has about a layover in Dallas then on to Ontario (CA - not Canada). She lands at 11:30 tonight. That is painfully far away :(

:::HUGS::: for Kevy! She'll be home soon!

BTD - so, were the prices generally sucky? I need to buy some CD-Rs and basic stuff...

Totally sucky. NOTHING was on sale and they are not honoring their recent ad either "due to recent circumstances".

Make friends with buy.com. Their office is off the 73 and they have decent customer service, fast shipping and $10 off most stuff if you use Google checkout.

I have a ton of CR-RWs, how many do you need?


Springer is home. He ate some kitty treats and gave himself a bath.

I haven't shopped at CompUSA for years. Good riddance crappy store!

I do most of my non-Apple computer shopping at Central Computer. Since they have a SF store, it's the greatest place for last-minute drives, RAM, etc. I'm sure that once we move to LA, I'll buy from them on-line.

I shouldn't have ever said "need" - more like "want to" buy stuff I know I'll need.

None at this exact moment.

Good! Good! Just makes sure he drinks a lot of water!

CompUSA sold the stores to a liquidation company with quite a history.

Early in the liquidation process they'll generally raise prices somewhat so that later they can slash them and have decent prices. You can find a bunch of information at The Consumerist (can't look up the URL right now).

Make him? Have you met Springer? :p

But I'm sure my parents will be watching him closely.

I found this posted on MC by MCer PirateMunkee:



I'm a toon!
Love it!
I wish I could draw!
:)

That's cool!

But why'd he draw you and post it over there?

He's an artist and did a thread where he drew lots of MCers.
I think he's talented. :)

I also think I could sell ad space on my forehead.
:D

Uh - there are two new containers of creamer on the top shelf of the fridge - but the ice cream sounds better anyway.

Hmm, something tells me she didn't look too hard for that creamer.

I've got up the first day's worth of photos from my trip. There are approximately 147 images of the Statue of Liberty. Well, not quite that many, but almost. I haven't finished weeding through things yet. I have to delete some that are blurry and all.

Came home to find a new toy in the living room: A 56" LCD HD TV.

Looks cool!

Oh my! Color me green with tv envy

Congrats!

Great pics! More, please :cool: :snap:

I don't know, I love the SoL, I love what she represents and seeing her brings lump to my throat.

Meethinks GusGus got crunched in a mega hug, you're tooo sweet Kevy. Visible Mojo for you man :)

This morning Nick is not wanting to finish getting ready for school so I broke out the camera. Here are a few pics of Holly (aka Hollywogs). They are mostly head shots, since the rest of her body is solid white. No pics of Baby, she is still too skittish.







Sweetie and Thudder's butt are in the background of the first pic.

Cool. I've decided that it is about time to upgrade our TV (which is experiencing some oddities) but that I'll be perfectly happy with a 26" rather than one of the huge ones (I've never lived in a place with a room big enough to sit far enough away from a 56" TV).

But I'm still balking at the $800-$1000 price tag. I came very close when I got a bonus at work a few weeks ago but couldn't pull the trigger.

I am SO glad I got the chance to climb it many years ago. It was sweaty and smelly and like climbing an oven, but it was awesome.


I think I'm going to wait until DLP w/LED catches on and lowers in price. I've always found DLP to have the best picture:price ratio and if the LED thing catches on it mitigates one of DLP's biggest drawbacks (bulb life and replacement cost).

Even though this TV is big, width-wise, it takes up less space than our old 35" TV, which had a huge 'ass' and stuck out from the wall a great deal. Eric used his bonus to get it, and as much as we watch movies and play video games I figured it was worth it. Does take some getting used to, though, and I haven't figured out all the different viewing screens, etc.

here is the model we got, but since we got it at Costco it was about $800 less than this site is charging, and we got the stand as well.

Oooh, nifty, LCOS (sort of a hybrid between LCD and DLP).

I am clueless as to what it is, beyond it not being a plasma. (I like the look of the plasma TV, but too many disadvantages to it). We ran LOTR's on it last night, and it really looked great!

I'd get a flat screen, but my Winky-Dink sheets won't fit.

You owe my work a new keyboard! LOL!

I detect a business opportunity

So, anyone know anything about Salem, OR and whether it would suck to live there for at least a year?

You'd be closer to Disneyland. You'd be a potential stop off point when we do the drive down. You'd be used to the climate already, at least all of what I've seen of Salem.

I also know that housing is cheap compared to where I am now, but I'm worried that it's because it really sucks to live there or something.

Finally switched my (dental HMO) dentist to one near my house. Guess that means I have to go face the music at some point here (like... while I still have teeth)

It's only a year or so, you'd know by then. Hey, I'm going to Bellingham on the 17th for my sister's birthday, I'll wave as I drive through :)

Winky Dink, and you
Winky Dink, and me
Always have a lot of fun together
Winky Dink, and You
Winky Dink, and me
We'll be pals in fair or stormy weather.

All the kids who heard
Winky's magic words
Make a wish and then they all shout Winko

What a big surprise
Right before their eyes
Wishes do come true from saying Winko

Presto, Chango that's a thing of the past
Winko, Winko works twice as fast

Winky Dink, and you
Winky Dink, and me
Always have a lot of fun together
Winky Dink, and You
Winky Dink, and me
We'll be pals in fair or stormy weather

now that I'm singing the Winky Dink song, found the creamer and have taken a bath, I can begin my day all over again! Too bad I have to leave and walk dogs.

Hopefully the sun is shining :) (grateful that I don't know the tune to the Winky Dink song or it would be going through my head now)

I LOVE the Hammock-Bed. I wish I'd have thought of that for Nina (God rest her soul)

Please tell me you Googled that. It would frighten me too much if you already knew that by heart.

We actually looked at buying a house in Salem a few years ago. I don't know if I'd recommend buying in downtown Salem. There are some beautiful outlying areas that are wonderful. We were looking at South Salem or Keizer. It's funny to see how much growth there has been since then!

I personally love living in the Willamete valley. Everything is only an hour or two away, ocean beaches, skiing, lakes, rivers, wineries everywhere and Portland is very close. Silver Creek Falls is a must see!

I certainly wouldn't call Salem a swanky mecca or anything but it is a decent city. We actually go up there quite often for weekend entertainment and a change of pace in eating. My boys are in love with Busters BBQ and go up every chance they get!

I'd be happy to answer any questions or try to find more info on things for you, just let me know:)

Oooh! An inside connection. I'm going to be working a connection for a clerkship there, so I might be hitting you up for that info later on if things go well. I just wanted to get an hint of whether it was a yay or nay before going ahead with my plans. (The part where in the outlying areas I can get a 4 bed, 2.5 bath house for less than my condo will sell for is a definite bonus.)

If you don't mind not living in/around a major metropolis, no it won't suck.

My parents lived there for about five years and while there ain't much going on there is plenty nearby if you're of the type to move about. If you want everythign within 20 miles of home, though, you may be very bored.

Yes, housing is much cheaper. Lani and I would cry every time we visited my parents and got a look at the real estate prices.

I only knew this part of the song my heart, the rest I Googled. So I'm only partialy scary.

Winky Dink, and you
Winky Dink, and me
Always have a lot of fun together
Winky Dink, and You
Winky Dink, and me
We'll be pals in fair or stormy weather.

Ask Chris about my scary song knowledge, though.

Okay, you know the Winky Dink song... but not a verse of Monty Python???

*sigh* They really WILL let anyone on this board these days. Who's running this madhouse, anyway? ;)

the inmates

You had me worried. That's all I knew as well.

Monty Who?

I have one that won't sleep anywhere else. Usually she has company. This is their 3rd one. The last 2 both broke after being overloaded with furry bodies.
The things need to come with weight warnings.

I'm feeling kind of sad, tonight. And lonely. Mostly in regards to the wedding.

I put a toe back into the water of the online wedding communities this week, because I had finished my favors and I didn't feel like there was anybody I could talk to about it. But sharing these things with people I don't know-- particularly when they're all talking about frolicking about planning with their friends and family-- just isn't helping me. Because *my* mom is too sick to even talk about the planning, and her absence makes the joy of all of this ache, in small part. My attendants are 2000 miles away and thanks to the time difference, by the time I get home from work-- after 8 anymore, these days-- they're all already in bed. The people directly around me actually change the subject when I talk about the wedding-- and I don't feel like I do it to an extent that it's rude. I try to bring it up sparingly.

But you know what? I want to talk about it, goddamnit. This is the biggest celebration of my life-- surrounding the happiest event of my life. And although there'll be missing puzzle pieces (Mom, for likely most of the day, and all of you) I'm really excited about it, and about the marriage. I just want someone who wants to look at my shoes, or give me opinions about my invitations. Who'll go out for tea with me when Tom's brothers take him to Vegas in May. And aside from my sweet groom, whom I'm trying not to overwhelm, I feel kind of alone.

Aww, I"m excited for you LSP!! As ususal Life gets in the way of everything. Talk your heart out I say!

LSPE - you know I'm online nearly perpetually. Chatter away re: wedding goodness. I can't come to tea, but I am generally up for some wedding chatter. Bonus points for links to things I can opine over.

LS, I may be 1200 miles away, but I am in the same time zone and I am very wedding savvy, even if I did elope.... (Done hair for a zillion weddings, and I recognize how very important this time is for you!). Your big day is fast approaching, and a big part of the experience is in the planning. I think we should start a thread specifically for your day, here with people who know and love you, and it can be for anything: discussing actual details, posting thoughts and feelings, venting, whatever trips our triggers. I'd just go ahead and do it, but this is your event and you should yea, nay or craft such a thread in the manner that you wish. I think it's fantastic that you opened up to us about this, though, and I like to think it's because you know we love you.

H - you can always talk to me about your wedding! PM me! :) I loved working on my wedding and much of it I did alone. I love hearing about the choices people make on theirs. It's such an individual thing, and I truly believe that it teaches you about yourself.

Seriously - don't let yourself get that way. :)

I'm a Lumberjack and I'm okay, I sleep all night and I work all day! I put on women's clothing, and have buttered scones for tea! :D

I...just want to....sing!

More shots up from my trip - Manhattan this time.

H - I am around a lot and I love picking out shoes and accessories. IM me any time!!!!

Oh, I love St. Pauls Chapel!

Watching the Tour of California race, missing the racing. I'm so glad we saw what we could.

Here's a picture of U.S Pro Champ George Hincapie and Floyd Landis, last years T.o.C winner and winner of the 2006 Tour De' France.(Santa Barbara Start)
One of the pics of the Long Beach Stage.

Sooooo, why are George Hincapie and Floyd Landis about to kiss? I didn't know they were that into each other! ;)

H, if you want, I can pm you my numbers. I would even be willing to drive down for a day to run errands with you.

Awesome TicTocDragon! I wish I could have seen that. I love watching cycling.

Hincapie is cool.

Hey H

I think you should just start a thread about your wedding. Post pictures of the location, maybe even post the "save the date" card if you did one of those. Talk about how may people are coming and such.

I appreciate stupid neighbors.

For some reason, my Mac decided to not be able to see my network for a few hours (started last night and was still blind as of this morning). Susan's computer saw the network just fine, as did our TiVo, I just couldn't see it.

So, to be able to cruise the LoT this morning, I hopped on to one of the other networks I can see. I couldn't send email (because I have SMTP authentification on I suspect), but I was able to do everything else.

I just checked and I was able to swich back to my own network just now (nothing changed - not sure why). But it is nice to know I can rely on the ignorance of strangers.

So I'm at work on a Saturday. Had some housekeeping to do and it's the kind of thing I prefer to do in an empty lab with my headphones on. I've been pretty productive in the 2 hours I've been here so far. Trying to decide whether to keep going or if I've accomplished enough for a blood Saturday.

My dad was due a small refund for making a change on an insurance policy. The check he received was wrong so he brought it back to the office and the agent told him it would take about six weeks. By the time he mentioned it to me it had been over six weeks and the agent was never around when he called. Since the insurance company happens to be my employer I told him I'd look into it. I called a woman who used to work with me who now works in the department that issues these refunds. She couldn't find any record of a request for a replacement check so she offered to take care of it. She called me later and asked if I wanted to pick up the check instead of having it mailed. So I have my dad's refund check to bring to him today. That should give me some parental brownie points, don't you think?

My dad isn't the type to make a fuss and neither am I. But through my work I see so many examples of our members throwing hissy fits over the tiniest things and getting whatever they want. So I was happy to know how to pull a few strings.

GD, you work in a lab, too? I formulate skin care products in an R&D Lab. I liken it to cooking more than chemistry, and I love cooking as well so it's a good fit.

I use to know a little about the job before your extended vacation (unemployment ;) ), so what do you do in the lab (If you don't mind me asking)?

Computer lab. Same thing I was doing before. No beakers of technicolor bubbling mystery liquids for me. Just 50,000 sq ft of orange cable, LEDs and a LOT of fan noise.

It isn't just your members. We do a lot of direct mail business (print and mail about 45 million pieces per year). It is not uncommon to have "do not mail" addresses, commonly called suppression lists. There is no national "do not mail" registry as there is with the "do not call" registry (a myriad of reasons of which I will not go into here).

I would think that if one were to receive a piece of advertising mail that they did not want, that it would not be that difficult to throw it away. For one campaign that we are currently working on (several mailings over a couple of months), my customer got one card back. This individual took the time to write an expletive filled message on the mailer (it is a large postcard), stick it in an envelope, waste the $0.39 stamp to mail it back to the customer.

I'm thinking here that it would have just been easier to toss the card in the trash. It is not as if there were something embarrassing about the material (it was for a higher-end furniture store), it was simply a postcard.

The thing about mailing lists is that they are compiled by list companies (there are many) from a multitude of sources. Sending this card back to this company will have no bearing on whether you will receive mail from a host of other companies. He spent a lot of time for virtually no gain (I checked the lists of the future mailings we are doing and he was not on any of them; though I suspect that many Orange County based LoTers are - I found my name and addy).

We got a good chuckle out of it.

No shrunken heads?

I am beyond excited. Nickolas has a class field trip to LB Aquarium on March 16th. For the first time ever I get to go on a field trip with him. He is going to ride the bus down and come back home with me. This way he and I can do some goofing off and window shopping around the harbor. This is one of the many things that I couldn't have done had I still been at SBC. I was worried about getting a Friday off, since that is our busiest day. The GM/owner's reply was wonderful. He talked aobut how much he enjoyed doing stuff like that with his kids and he is more than willing to grant an occasional Friday off for such things. :)

That is cool! Pass some mojo on the boss for me!

My mother takes this all one step further. My Dad died in 1990. She's still at the same address and occasionally a credit card application or the lot will arrive addressed to my Dad. She actually takes the time to phone them, wait on hold, then curse them out for sending something to someone who's been dead for 17 years.

She also takes the time to forward any junk mail I or my sister receive at her address. We keep telling her just open it if it's trash throw it out. But my mother is a huge beliver in rules. And the rule is you don't open anything that isn't specifically addressed to you. So she forwards it. Hmm now that I think of it how does she justify opening the stuff addressed to Dad?

If insanity's heriditary I'm screwed.

So, I'm sitting upstairs, trying to get a little homework done, and all I can hear is my grandma trying to reason with my aunt. Right now, I can't tell if I'm embarassed, ashamed, or just pity those in my own family who choose to treat my grandma the way they have been.

It's hard to hear my aunt tell my grandma that she (my grandma) is punishing my uncle (her brother) and therefore is punishing the entire family, when in reality, it is the majority of my family who have been punishing themselves all along.

If anyone needs me, in about 5 minutes I'm going to be on hug patrol.

OMG, MG! You're going to be in my 'hood and I won't be there. Boo hoo!

Oh, that's right! Wow, is that the lab that has the live biological cell CPU that can serch the net in a million directions at the same time with each live cell searching independantly? ;)


I'll take beakers of technicolor bubbling mystery liquids over orange cable, LEDs and a LOT of fan noise, but that's just me. Although lately I've been filling in for QC, and have been spending a third of my time doing computer entry. :rolleyes:

I think they were just getting done hugging right there. :)

Too tired to sleep.

Hows the job going, GC?

I like it, for the most part. I wish it was closer to where I live, but hey it's a job. There's a lot that needs to be done. Ch-ch-changes. ;)

I learned a lot about Manga today. I had to help restock ten shelves of it. Some of it looks very interesting. :D

I also found out that I get to check books out like at a library. I currently have the graphic novel '300' and the Walt Disney bio by Gabler on loan for 2 weeks. Pretty sweet.

I also have a 33% discount that I'm thrilled about. :)


So far, so good. And the best part of all, I found out that our cafe makes milkshakes.
:D

Where you workin? (I hate to think I've missed something, and clearly, I have... /cry )

It's a major bookstore chain. One thing I do there is take book orders.
;)

/sigh. For some reason I had hoped they removed their collective heads from their collective butts by now.

LashBear Aquarium ?? This I gotta see !! :eek:

Really... and how far a drive is it, exactly..... for instance, which suburb (for bears who don't know US Geography very well....)

...Just in case I'm in the mood for a milkshake, you understand...

I'll be really impressed if you can finish the Gabler book in two weeks (and get anything else done). Congrats on the new job.

Manga....I think I am familiar with this. They sell out pretty quick, don't they? My son has a couple of sets of {ugh, I don't know, I just pay and pay and pay....}books. He says he reads them. He says they are good.

Currently, what is cool, at school they were reading Tom Sawyer. He didn't remember what it was called and so I asked him a bit about it. He was impressed I knew what he was talking about. Then I told him, 'We have the book at home'. He was really surprised and took it to read.

I also tried to bring it up in his memory about how didn't he remember seeing bits of schtuff on, ahem, 'Tom Sawyer Island'? Now that they are changing it....

Milkshakes....mmmmmm.....

Don't they also sell coffee??? :coffee:

Who care?!? They have MILKSHAKES!!!

We sell coffee, too. :)
The Manga section is pretty popular. I think it's because of the drawings of girls showing off their panties in a lot of these books. :D

I would have thought so, too. I know my uncle's head was jammed pretty far up there - but I thought my aunt had softened over this past year. It's just pretty rough when I see that my aunt is glad to get the money my grandma gives them, and glad to get the help g-ma's boyfriend gives them (fixing all their cars, plumbing problems, etc... saving them headaches and money) - yet can't even let him into their hearts for a minute, and condemn my grandma for wanting to have someone around who will spend time with her, unlike my rather ungrateful family. They only seem to come around when there's stuff to "get." (If you couldn't tell, I'm feeling a little bitter)

I may be ungracious at times, but at least my head isn't up my ass. If I don't have the time or care to spend the time with someone, then I lose my right to be a judgmental asshole. As of right now, and over the course of much of this last year, I've chosen to spend as little time with them as possible - so maybe I should stop being a judgmental asshole, too.

OK, I feel better.

I could use a good cup of coffee....

Madz should have people sleepover every weekend. Cleaned the entire house yesterday before she arrived. Did all the laundry while they were watching movies and this morning I've cleaned out my desk and done all my filing for the last two years.

Couple more sleepovers and I'll have my closets cleaned out and organized and my computer backed up.

Dontchya love that? Once we were moved in and started having people over almost weekly to see the new place, this place was spotless. Not so much anymore (though bunny still ensures we keep crap off the floor).

Yah, I hate bunny crap on the floor. ;)

Nah. Your reasons for distancing are valid. The wisest choices haven't been made all around, but now it is what it is and people need to get over it or move on.

Good. Now go visit Pringer.


********* Springer Update**************

He is home and eating, drinking and going potty. He is sauntering around like he owns the place and got annoyed when he had had his fill of being petted. He is still sick and probably won't get better but he's acting like himself.l

Good Springer.

YAY SPRINGER!!!!

Yeah Springer. I'm always happy to hear when a pussy gets healthy!

I hope you and Springer can enjoy each other for the time you have left together, and I hope it will be a long happy time. That's what's important. I'm glad he's himself again.

Mr LB HA! that is funny. Now, all I will think about while I am there is a bunch of little yous swimming around.


It looks like I will be going again sometime in April. A friend of mine is pouting because she can't go with me. I promised her that Nick and I would take her with us sometime in April.



Last night I cleaned the Girl's cage. I line the tray with newspaper and then put the litter material on top. This morning I got up to find the hammock filled with shredded newspaper. I mean filled. I know which girl is doing it. She doesn't even sleep up there. I think she is doing it to make sure that the others don't steal her bedding. It was just a shock to see all of that paper at the top of the cage. It must have taken her all night to haul it up 5 sets of stairs.

So... Here is our garage progress. I will be glad when they are done and we can get the rock in front over all that mud. My carpets may never be the same again.

That is a nice garage! Is it tall so a motorhome will fit in it?

Great progress on the garage- I'm impressed! Your weather sure looks sucky, though.;)

(Is it ever going to be spring up here?)

Tomorrow will be spring, supposed to hit 50, but then the rest of the week we're back to winter unfortunately. It is so mucky and wet and nasty here :P

The garage is tall enough for an RV, but we don't have one. We needed a taller door than we have for the house because the van for daycare is too tall to fit in, not to mention too long. Might as well make it tall enough for an RV for resale later on. We're going to build a "gym" for the daycare kids to use in the winter in the back of it and put a large loft in the back of it for storage. Then park the daycare van, the Sequoia and the truck in it. Technically we could fit 6 cars in it, but we only have 4 ;) (5 when he brings his Firebird over from his mom's) Robb's car goes in the other garage.

Click on it.
:coffee:

Best cup of schmaltz I ever had.

Then that would be a sheep aquarium. :cheers:

$27 per visit doesn't sound very sheep to me!

Shorn-nuff !

Ewe guys are too funny!!

Hey, 9 days till you get here? Wow!! 7 days until we hit Yosemite Valley...

1 week until we take off for London.

11 hours until I go back to work.

Wow, Lisa! :cool: <---beret

Yuck, Alex. :p

Mashed potatoes!

I always pick the worst weekends to go to Vegas.

You were there too? Alex went and had such a bad time he came home on saturday.

Do the Aqua Velva!

No, we're going in May but it's so freeking expensive :(

If we go for one night it's totally do-able but I wanna go for two (yes. I am whining).

And if I push it back a week the rates go down. I think it will be pushed back a week.

Everything seems expensive these days. To be noted, BTD, the weekend you were probably planning on going is the same weekend as the Kentucky Derby. People who can't make it to the Derby, itself, go to Vegas, and probably the Venetian (they make great mint juleps, that is until they run out of mint leaves) - that's where I was last year. Everything's expensive that weekend.

This year, it looks like I'm going to be at the actual real Derby. I need to find a stylish hat.

Soooo.....


Getting braces tomorrow. I am a bit nervous about it, which is why I've put it off for so long, but it has to be done. (Serious TMJ issues). I get to have clear brackets on the top teeth, but the bottom ones are railroad tracks. I suppose I should be glad I don't have to wear headgear.:rolleyes:

In other news, Tori started Monart art lessons today, and she loves them. They are sketching St. Basil's of Moscow, and these kids are really good!

[Nelson voice] Haw Haw ! Tinsel Teeth! [/Nelson]

Seriously, I had them for two years (I think... I kinda blocked that phase of my life out) and you get used to it - I wish we'd had all the excellent flossing brushes, water piks etc. when I was a teen going through it.

You'll love the result though. :snap:

WB, I had them as an adult because my parents couldn't afford them. I had them when I was 22-27 for 5 years because things move more slowly when you are older and I had a lot of moving to do. It really wasn't all that bad, though. Just follow all the instructions to the letter.

I hope it helps with the TMJ. The trouble you go through now will save a hugh trouble down the road!