So Anyways...

People...people...people....

2009-04-18T18:45:00.003-06:00

I am a believer in cellphones. I like them and use them quite often but even as someone that embraces the technology I still firmly believe there are places that should just be off limits. Number One on this list is the RESTROOM. Sweet mercy you are grown ups and you should not need someone to tell you this. It is starting to happen more and more often. If I didn't have to always be a good corporate citizen I would totally start yelling at the stall they were in-- Something like I have to pee can you be silent for a minute :) ....lucky for them I have to behave. But I will admit to walking into a stall, and just for fun, flushing it while they are talking. I won't even get started on how unhygienic that is because I can't get past the gross.

The snow has finally stopped falling and KK decided she HAD to have burritos for lunch and of course I had nothing to make them with so thus a trip outside to shovel. She wanted to help and that lasted about 15 minutes before admitting she was cold and wanted to go in. I finished and came in. We drove to the store and I'll have to admit that driving home was one of the most fun drives I have had in awhile. We don't normally get to play in massive amounts of water on the road and the 4Runner handled it with a grace I hadn't expected. I felt like a kid again stomping around in puddles. Just a whoot! My neighbor is currently using his snowblower to clear the 1/3 of my driveway that I didn't shovel...bless him.

I know....I know.....

2009-04-15T23:42:00.002-06:00

I missed posting the entire month of March, but in my defense I was like uber busy.

I saw today one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen - a man sitting at a stop sign in his truck with what I am almost 100% certain was a gun in his hand and the barrel of it in his mouth like he was licking the barrel of it.

I meant to be very diligent and file my taxes quite early and that plan failed miserably and I managed to do them only a couple days ago. And for the first time in a couple years I am getting a refund!!!WHOOT!

I am excited as my first shipment from my new wine club goes out next week. http://www.pragerport.com/default.htm. I was going to have them add another bottle of the delicious Aria port but alas they are sold out. I am very excited to see what will be in the shipment.

I'd promise to do better and post more but I know better :)

The Ups and Downs

2009-02-11T21:41:00.002-07:00

I was going to talk about my company and the ups and down but upon considering that it seems a bad idea. I am not sure what is public and what is not so I'll just avoid the topic and say there are ups and downs.

Tomorrow night is a formal event that I have been lucky enough to invited to for work. My boss invited me with her one invite so I feel pretty good about that, but also it is always fun to get dressed up and network with some pretty highly placed people - not just in my company but the larger companies in Denver. My boss is convinced that I will meet someone I will be interested in. Have I ever mentioned that she is a hopeless romantic?

My dress is I think probably my favorite of the ones I own. It is one of those little black dresses that just make you feel good about your body. I mean Calvin Klein makes dresses that just fit my body and actually make it look decent. Yes thank you Calvin for understanding I have breasts.....

Looking forward to March

2009-02-07T14:10:00.002-07:00

I have a trip planned to Canada to visit a friend of mine up there. I am going to of course head to the Avalanche match while I am in Canada. That should be fun to do with a two big hockey fans who are on opposite teams. And yes I am totally going to sport my Av's jersey in the great north :)

It will be very nice to get away for awhile. I am lucky enough to be able to spend a week there between classes. It's hard for me to believe I am almost half way done with my masters degree. I still have a couple really big choices to make in so far as do I go Oracle or MSSQL? Then when I am done do I go project or DBA? I like parts of both and dislike parts of both.

I am still missing Thomas quite a bit. It is strange to come home and not be greeted by a howling cat who is certain that he is starving to death.

Oh and I finally got the 4Runner in the shop and fixed. It was a battery and a cable issue.

Busy Weekend

2009-02-01T22:02:00.003-07:00

Thursday night was an Av's game. Friday was this picture. We headed up very early in the day and had breakfast before hitting the slopes at A-Basin. We didn't do anything crazy and stuck to the green runs but I had a good time. Saturday was another Av's game. By the time Saturday night rolled around I just wanted some down time instead of the dinner plans I had made.

Today was homework and housework and still feeling under the weather. I am not sure the anti-biotics really killed the strep throat that I have had for far too long now. I scrapped the plans I had today to just try and rest.

Saying Goodbye

2009-01-24T08:05:00.002-07:00

Last night I took Thomas to the vet because he wasn't himself. He wasn't eating or talking or even going upstairs. I was thinking maybe he was just a little backed up in his digestion system, and while he was it, wasn't from anything that was easily fixed.

He had a large mass attached to his intestines and probably a few other organs. He warned me right away that given Thomas's age - 16 that he has seen a lot of these cases and that they end up usually right back where I was right then. He wanted to take some x-rays to ensure he could confirm what he was thinking and that it wasn't just an enlarged liver or some kind of thyroid issue. It was what he thought and he told me if Thomas was 8-9 then he'd recommend going through the whole process of blood work, ultrasound and surgery, but given his age there was no guarantee and not a very good outlook for even surviving the surgery - assuming the mass ( of cancer) was even operable. He wasn't optomistic that surgery was even an option.

So I did the only thing that seemed to be humane for him. I scratched and petted him while they put him to sleep. He purred from the second we arrived in the vet's office until he took his last breathe, but I wasn't going to leave him alone and let strangers be there for his last moment.

It's so very sad and I will very much miss him.

Try and Keep it pretty and.....

2008-11-22T22:09:00.002-07:00

First my new car is still very much new to me. I park way out in the lot every day when I drive it to work ( When my daughter lets me drive it as she prefers the 'big car'). And there is only one little ding in it and sadly I did that one myself....or at least this was true until last weekend when some idiot backing into a parking spot scratched my car from the back wheel well to the middle of the drivers side door, and didn't even leave a note ( at the mall because the 'big car' wouldn't start). You find out when you have a claim how good your insurance company is....and I have to tell you that mine has been just top notch fantastic. The car heads in Monday for the 1k in repairs and yes I have to pay my deductible.

Tomorrow though I am headed to the Broncos and Raiders game.....that should just be a hoot. Goodness help us if we can't even pull it together enough to beat them. It's a busy sports week this week -- Broncos tomorrow, AV's on Wednesday and AV's on Saturday. And I can't even believe it is almost December - where did 2008 go? I am loving my little 14 game pack to the Avalanche. I am totally going to do it again next year.

I am so happy to finally be on break from school until next year. Work is kicking my butt right now, but I'd rather be busy than not. I hope to get some shopping done tomorrow with an old friend from where I used to work.

Habitat and All That

2008-10-24T20:44:00.002-06:00

Wednesday was spent on a build site for Habitat for Humanity. I have to also say that Wednesday was the coldest day of the season so far. The wind was howling and whipping around so much that at times it was unsafe to be up on a ladder. Sounds like the perfect day to be out framing windows right? I now understand how to frame a window and have used a chop saw. I must say that I am pretty good at the whole measure and cut thing. And I got to balance myself with a hammer over my head while balancing myself on 3 inch rail while straddling another woman who was in said corner holding up the molding. That took me back a few years to cheerleading.

Speaking of going back a few years I am headed back to good old South Dakota this weekend. A month ago I got a strange call from my best friend from high school and she's getting married this weekend and I am going to go. It should be interesting to go back to that area and see some of those people that I haven't seen in a goodly time. It will be nice to see my folks again and to go back in time so to speak.

San Fran, Sonoma and Napa - the Jackie and Michelle Way!

2008-10-08T21:43:00.002-06:00

Michelle is being a dear and helping me compose this entry. We are laying in a relaxed well fed state on a comfy bed in our cottage. Now if we were both into girls this would be fabulous but as we are both straight well it is merely interesting.

So I arrived a few hours after she did in the Oakland airport without of course doing something as silly as looking up WHERE the hotel was. I got a bit spoiled on the Europe trip where there was a car that always knew where to take me. Michelle was a dear and left instructions on my phone that should have gotten the normally -- not directionally challenged to the hotel. I on the other hand ended up being escorted by a local who then asked for a tip. Yes it was worth the $2 to get there.

Friday night we decided on tickets to the Big City Improv. The show was in a cute little theatre and after a slight nudge from Michelle I ended up on stage for a skit in the show in a fill in the blank capacity. I thought I was funny as I was laughing so hard at one point I was crying and even circumcision can be funny, which is good because I meant it to be. The other fill in the blank person from the audience wasn't nearly as cool or good as me :). Michelle says so, it must be true.

Saturday - We had a wonderful breakfast of tiny pancakes and then headed off to the Japanese Tea garden. We took in the De Young museum which was right in the same area and then met up with a friend in San Fran for a tasty Italian meal after strolling through Chinatown and Little Italy.

Sunday- This was the day of the big Castro Street Fair. Michelle was kind enough to keep a lady from hassling me, but this isn't a story I'll publish. See me in person, ask and I'll tell. We had some great food for dinner with a fantastic view of the water and headed up to Ghiradelli for sundaes! There is something more than a little scary about Alcatraz even now and probably more so at night as we did the night tour. Very clear weather and just a powerful night.

Monday - Voyage back to the airport and get a rental car. Take off for wine country and Redwoods. Success on both accounts. I felt sooooooooo tiny next to the trees. This was the night of the posh local restaurant with a great wine list. I added a new place to my list of MUST visit wineries.....this will come back again.

Tuesday - Much wine, much food, much fun. Michelle got insulted by one of the workers at a wine tasting. The lady just kept digging the hole deeper and deeper and deeper. It started with her carding me, and ended......I'll just say badly. We bought no wine from there. Michelle and I both needed to buy extra containers for the wine we had purchased. She wasn't buying ANY and I was only buying what I could pack in my suitcase. This plan failed. It was doomed.

Wednesday- We found the must visit place. I was a little concerned when I noticed no hours posted. I little more concerned when I didn't see a tasting room, and then very concerned when we ended up in a room that said 'Office'. The man that greeted us was very nice despite how VERY obvious there was going to be no tasting of the wine. But he told us all about why winemakers do dessert and sweet wine and that you never make any money off of it. He then toddled off to a backroom telling us to stay put. He came back with a bottle that he gifted us with. He said because he'll never make a penny on it. It was his private label. I will tell you that I am now a huge fan of KENT RASMUSSEN which is also in Denver as Ramsey ( I think). We chatted for quite a bit before Michelle figured out that he was the 'man'. We also found a port of many pleasures. I am now in a wine club again. They had the most amazing white port I have ever tasted. It had a finish that left your mouth full of hazelnut. Then that late afternoon we were in the mud....literally. A spa is a wonderful thing. Now we are relaxed and too jello'y' to want to move....but Miss Michelle has just suggested a dip in the pool.....I can move for that...yes I can!

San Francisco

2008-09-30T22:55:00.002-06:00

I am headed out of town to San Fran this weekend. It should be a fabulous trip with the group from Cali. Then for a couple days there is a wine tasting outing to Sonoma and wrapping up with a day at the spa, complete with a mud bath and a mineral bath.

I can't wait.....now if I didn't have to do work on the trip that would be fantastic.

Almost 2 months -- Really?

2008-09-07T16:00:00.003-06:00

I noticed that it has been almost 2 months since I last posted something. I have a busy life but there probably isn't a very good excuse for that so lets see what is going on....

Toddler potty training - Oh yes so close and yet so far.

Master's Degree - Been off for a few weeks but due to hit the books and start class again this week.

Work - I now have 3 direct reports and at least 2 of them are amazing. IN FACT -- one of them is going to start school and be in my next class with me.

Cars - Finally have 2 that are fully functional. Just got the brand new one all cleaned so expect a spot of rain this week.

House and Yard - Always require so much work....thank goodness I didn't get a bigger one on either account.

WOW - Just had my first ding 70.

Oh and I have a 15 game season ticket package to the AV's which I am super excited about...

Lastly I am in a fantasy football league and that will make me much more into football this year!

Now I am off to look after the daughter and read two chapters about software engineering...

Many Firsts Today

2008-07-11T19:50:00.002-06:00

Today is the first day I have ever had a car towed. What happened to the 4Runner you ask? Oh nothing it was the brand spanking 2 week old car that wouldn't start. My old reliable wonderful car purred up when I started it.

Today was first time I have ever had to crawl under a car to get my gas cap back at a gas station.

Today was the first time I have slammed my fingers in a door as an adult.

Today was also the first time I have ever told my boss that I think it is time that both of us move to different positions in the company.

Today was the first time I have ever tried to explain to my daughter that she won't be seeing someone again. It is very hard but exciting. She starts a preschool on Monday which is exciting and she is going to learn so much, but she had a fantastic daycare provider and I will miss her very much. She has been wonderful to my daughter and I will forever be thankful.

Slimy, slimy, slimy

2008-06-26T06:13:00.002-06:00

Stevinson's Toyota East is just as slimy as Stevinson's Toyota West. I wasn't sure it was possible but it is in fact. They tried to sell me a car with hail damage without telling me it was there. They tried to double the sales tax for my car. They got to keep their car and I will NEVER set foot on another property owned by those slime balls.

So instead I did buy a new car someplace else last night! Now all I have to do is figure out how to get to work and get my new car home. More to come! The car is still at the dealer getting detailed. And it is oh my goodness pretty!

9 Dresses

2008-05-31T20:30:00.002-06:00

I counted this a few mornings ago when the laundry was all done. KK has 9 dresses hanging in the closet and she can't wait to put them on. She's such a girly girl and I suppose if I asked my mom I was at that age as well. Did I mention those are only the dresses that she keeps here at my place? I am not sure the total at her dad's house.

I have quite a few thoughts floating through my head right now and most of them are not fit for posting. I am right now avoiding my final paper in enterprise architecture because I flat out dislike the teacher and his idea of how much work we should be doing in his class. I am after I finish that paper 25% of the way done with my masters degree. I considered taking the summer off and not signing up for a class but I want to be done and have my life back.

In case I didn't hate the war enough already...

2008-05-22T20:45:00.002-06:00

I know that 'really' he isn't mine. I know that I was there shortly after he was born and held him in the hospital, and raised him for 6+ of his current 17 years of life. What terrifies me is that I know he is going to end up in Iraq, and he knows and he is doing it anyway. If he survives the experience, he will no longer be the innocent boy I have always known. He starts boot camp today so keep him in your thoughts.

2 1/2 Year Old Style

2008-05-03T08:00:00.003-06:00

There are of course reasons why one doesn't let the baby pick out her own outfits yet. Here is one fine example. This is high style if you are two and a half. She knows that sunglasses should go on your eyes and wouldn't have them on the doll's head for anything.

The potty training is in the beginning stages with good success in the morning and not so much in the rest of the day.

Who you know...

2008-04-02T21:18:00.003-06:00

I am in one of the 'core' classes this semester and one of the guys in the class works for a tv station and the food network channel. He has promised to send us information on upcoming tapings, and he actually followed through with it. I would like to go but sadly everything is mostly during work hours. It could be on the way home for me so I am thinking I might stop by on Monday night for the tag team cake challenge. A show of support and the whole hey keep inviting me factor :).

Anyway I think it is cool!

Reflection

2008-03-30T22:00:00.002-06:00

Today I sat down and chatted with someone I haven't caught up with in ages and it was interesting to me the things she worried about in regards to me, and the things she decided were not a big deal. I suppose it is all a matter of perspective.

Sometimes the hard part about being smart is that you know you are making bad decisions and yet you lack the desire to change it despite that. I did change most of it but I think I am finally to the point where the last chain is broken.

Ever notice how much more insightful someone else sounds when they say something you said, than you felt when you said it?

Yes I am home safe.

2008-03-24T21:13:00.006-06:00

I am feeling down today and not really up to the task of blogging about my trip. It was an amazing trip and I met a ton of wonderful people. Here is a picture of me and Mihee in a quaint little coffee shop in Slovakia. The dessert was not nearly as good as it looks like it should have been, but the coffee made up for it.

Oh and we should totally have warning labels like this in the US. This is from the duty free shop in Vienna's airport and they cracked me up.

Really?

2008-03-06T22:51:00.004-07:00

That one word sums up my day well. I looked at the clock at work and went it's three o'clock really? The day flew by and I was uber productive. Today was the first time I have given someone a review and raise.

Today was the first time I have called one of my professors for help. His response was pretty priceless (on the assignment due on Sunday that I was calling for help on) get it as close as you can before you send it. Really? That's what you got? I will mention this is a professor that has never given me less than a 94% on anything. I faxed it to him and he said to submit it. I went from get it as close as you can to it's so close that you don't have to worry about it.

I just finished my packing for the vacation to Europe and the plane leaves at 11:30 tomorrow morning. I still can't believe how fast that crept up. I got distracted tonight by pretty much everything.

I have registered for my next class which I am really hoping is a slacker class. I could really use one of those.

And also - I am going to miss my wee one.

Welcome to my disjointed thoughts tonight....fear me :)

I disagree with at least one sentence :)

2008-03-02T22:16:00.004-07:00

Your Birthdate: March 2 You're so intuitive, it's like you have a sixth, seventh, and eighth sense.
You connect with others freely and easily - and you tend to have many best friends.
Warm and caring, it's hard for you to close your heart to anyone.
Affection is like air for you - you need to give and receive it to survive.

Your strength: Your universal compassion

Your weakness: Your unpredictable mood swings

Your power color: Mauve

Your power symbol: Butterfly

Your power month: February

Take the quiz: http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/

Thinking Chair

2008-03-02T16:48:00.002-07:00

I sat around yesterday and wasted a beautiful day by cleaning my house and doing laundry and generally getting to the things you usually put off (This was a bloody stupid plan given the weather yesterday and the weather today!) I had I'll say a friend drop by and give me a gift, which was very sweet. It was a very thoughtful gift, but as we talked I realized that in the 10 months I have known and spent time around them, I know them but they don't really know me. I can tell them very insightful things about themselves and they can't even remember my favorite color. By the time they left, they had already hurt my feelings several times and I think the worst part is they didn't even know it. I sat for awhile after they left and wondered why I even bother to be their friend and you know I didn't come up with a good answer. I suppose that should tell me something right there. Perhaps I am just too sensitive.

I am a firm believer in shopping therapy and today my best friend from college has deemed that it is all about me today. I hit a great sale at Macy's and bought my first cashmere sweater. (Thanks Lori & Dave :). I was finally able to find another pair of Ann Klein blue jeans! Whoot! They were not on sale but less than the last pair I bought. I also bought a silk neck purse thingy for the trip on Friday. A quick stop at Vic's Secret and I scored a couple more great deals!

Also yesterday I went through a ton of papers and shredded them. I found an old review from my last job and it just made my day. I thought about where I was back then and where I am now and I really can't find much to complain about. Have you ever looked at the statements you get from the government about your income since you started working? The social security sends them out. I was just amused.

Mouth Checked in Brain Hasn't

2008-02-25T20:32:00.004-07:00

I knew it was probably going to be a rough day when it starts out and I am outsmarted by a two and a half year old. I was brushing my teeth and I made the mistake of confining her in the bathroom with me. She takes my undies and asks if she can throw them in the water -- I am not thinking but I bet you can see where this is going -- I say sure wondering to myself where is she going to find water? She then proceeds to throw them in the toilet and giggles wildly. I react not at all because this is not a trend I want to see. She is bored quickly and opens the door and escapes.

Now if that isn't a horrible way to start the day let me then say my boss is completely down with likely pneumonia and was out today and will be again tomorrow. She lulls me into a conversation where she says that she is supposed to go to a conference tomorrow and would I go in her place? Last time this happened it was a very good time and sure why not go in her place? After I agree, tricky lady that she is, she then drops the bomb that it is an executive forum and the CFO of **insert huge 25K employee plus corp I work for here** is taking the handful of exec's going to lunch after. I think the CFO is awesome and someone I'd love to sit down with and have a meal with.

Now I will say after seeing the list I am really hoping that one of the other attendees decides she is too sick to attend. Now granted she is sick, but I'd also rather pull my eyelashes out than spend a couple hours alone with her. I feel like being around her is much like being on a verbal battlefield where it is just best to keep your head down and hope to avoid fire. I think the part about her that bothers me is that she is just plain out moody.

I have also been harassed today about having an oven that I named and that I don't bring in enough treats for everyone. I will point out that I just brought in cookies on Friday for the underling's birthday. Oh and did I mention the best friend from college is trying to kill me?

Right and I forgot my other really brilliant move today. Decide to make a yummy beef roast for dinner tomorrow night, then because you know there will be too much food invite your friend that doesn't eat red meat over!

February Out of the Country

2008-02-19T19:20:00.003-07:00

I looked at my passport this morning and noticed an interesting trend. I have been out of the country 3 times in the last 5 years and each and every time it has been February. England in 2003, France in 2004 and now Canada in 2008. I will be adding some more stamps next month and break this whole trend wide open!

Anyway, I am back in the US and yes our border people are much nicer. Three questions and that was it, nice, simple and easy! Better yet even that two out of the three questions made perfect sense to me. They also did the pre-screening in Canada so once we landed in the US no herding through customs.

I had a really fun time up in the great north! My bag had a great time too -- so much so that it stayed over a few more hours. The currier called and I should have it tonight. Why is it the whenever my luggage has been lost it has been lost on direct flights? Actually I was lucky. The first flight to Denver this morning at 6:30 was delayed and still had not taken off by the time our plane did at noon. I think lots of baggage made it to Denver and the passengers are still stuck in Canada.

And I am going to rant here for just a second -- I don't care how old you are, if you are going to take up the entire arm rest -- could you at last not have your elbow so far into my seating area that I can't even read my book! This old guy - I would say gentlemen.... but after a two hour flight with him I am sure it would be a lie....had his elbow so far into my seat that I couldn't turn the pages with my left arm because his elbow was in the way. When your elbow is well past my tray table get it back where it belongs! He's lucky I was in a good mood. Manners cost nothing people!
Ok rant over now.

So anyways, I had just unbelievable weather for this time of year in Canada which meant I was still really cold :). When I arrived at the hotel, I was given a free upgrade to a murphy bed and breakfast which translates into a bunch of cuts and bruises about 8 inches up my leg. I will say that I did learn quickly where the limits of the bed where. OH! And in the duty free store in Canada I found that one really good liquor with the tough looking elephant on the front. I hope it survives my luggage's misadventure. I am glad thought that if my luggage was going to get lost that it happened on the way to Denver instead of to Canada.

Not Comforting

2008-02-18T15:28:00.002-07:00

I arrived in Canada on a fairly smooth flight. It's been awhile since I was outside the US and I don't remember the questioning that happened to get into the country being all that big of a deal when we went to England and I am not sure it happened at all in Paris. I get off the plane and have to go through Customs. They ask a few questions and turn me over to go into immigration. I get into the immigration office and there is one guy ahead of me in line. I can't help but hear the conversation. He isn't getting into Canada, game over. I didn't hear what lead up to it but they were going to try and hold him a day until he could get on the first United flight out of the US, otherwise he could leave in 2 hours on an Air Canada flight to Denver but then he was SOL to get back to LA where he lives. This is not comforting. He tells the guy to stand to the side because this is going to take awhile. He then proceeds to call me up to the desk where he takes a call about going golfing in the afternoon while I wait patiently in line. I get to the desk and he grills me up down and sideways. This is Canada for crying out loud people! It shouldn't be that hard to get into the country. I couldn't believe all the questions he asked me. He finally decided to let me into the country but um wow. I just couldn't believe it. Do they find it that hard to believe people come up here to vacation in the winter?

Almost Fatal Logic

2008-02-13T21:13:00.003-07:00

Tonight I made a call half in jest and half in desperation to the ex-husband asking him to wake our daughter and see what she did with my securId card. This is the key to being able to log in at home and is about the size of a car key but a little fatter. I know I left it beside the bed last night as I was working on email and being lazy and doing it in bed instead of the table downstairs. Kaylee woke up very early this morning and she had time to be mischievous while I showered and apparently freaking mommy out by moving her ability to work from home was fun.

I wondered around the house for awhile looking for it thinking of course the horrible things like - sweet mercy I hope she didn't trash it, but then I remembered she does not know the fun of garbage yet. I did make the joking call to the ex and while I was talking to him I remembered that she was playing in my open suitcase in my room. I look down and sure enough there is my securId card cleverly melding into the grey background of the suitcase.

I am feeling a little bitter today as we had just a gorgeous day weather wise and I spent almost 11 hours at work and missed almost every single hour of daylight and nice weather by being chained to my desk. I suppose on the upside I am not sick and well there is something making its way around the office.

Back to homework......

Review Time

2008-02-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

I will admit that it is very odd to me to be writing someone's review. I am grading my direct report and it is very odd for me. Also I am in charge of someone's raise and that is beyond strange for me. It is probably a good thing for her that I wrote it a few weeks ago instead of this week. It's been a rough few weeks at work and I really need a vacation. Between school and work I barely have time to breathe.

I am looking forward to getting a raise. I am hoping for a decent one so that I can finally stop putting off getting a new car and just go do it. No no I will be keep my beloved SUV and as I have said before there will be no parting with that thing until one of us dies. I know I am just being silly about the car thing. I can more than afford a new car on what I am making but I wanted to make sure the job was going to work out. I suppose I am running out of excuses and with summer coming it is time to give my Toyota some time off. The only question left is do I want another Toyota or do I want a Honda or something much less sensible......I think that part of it is that I make so many decisions at work that sometimes it is nice just to not make a decision. Or is that deciding not to decide?

College at USD

2008-02-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

I will always have very fond memories of college at Verm-town. And yes I realize that only people who went to 'my' USD will understand that. I have had reason to think back on college lately, and remember all the good times we had. I am lucky enough to have two of my best pals from college living out here, but were I truly blessed they would still get along.

I think sometimes that I am back to almost where I was then, except with a few more responsibilities and a heck of a lot more money! I strangely miss the dorm life at times. I wonder if I should have stayed in them another year, and would that have made anything turn out differently? I figured out that some of those people I have been friends with for a long time. The number of years surprised me. Which reminds me I really need to look up Carleen's number and get it back in my phone.

School is different right now - I am taking classes for my masters and I don't really know the people in my class, and honestly they are just not that interesting. It does make me want to look up more of the people I knew back when....Where the hell is Eric McGlynn!

A charmed life?

2008-01-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

Someone told me last night that I am living the charmed life. I suppose in some regards that is true, but it is all relative to what you consider charmed and what is important to you.

I have a good job that much is true, but what most people don't understand is that I really do work hard and more hours than I'd like.

I do have the most fantastic daughter and that is pure luck. I know everyone thinks their child is amazing, but I am blessed beyond the telling of it. She lights up my life. I seriously can't go anywhere with her without her making some kind of friend or watching strangers eat out of the palm of my daughters hand. I am lucky enough to have an ex-husband who is good about sharing the responsibilities with me. I know most people in my situation can't even talk to their ex without wanting to hire a hit man.

I also could be considered charmed in that I do own my own place that is really me. When we were looking at it they were calling it the all about Jackie house. It has everything that is important to me, but I won't stay here forever as I have the luxury of being able to afford more next time. I laugh now as when I bought this place I had a futon and my clothes. I left almost everything behind to wipe the slate clean. Okay so I did get my oven back but you can't leave Burt behind....yeah I named my oven.

Love life....dear lord no one would envy me there. Enough said.

Last but not least....friends. Oh hell yes I am living the charmed life there. I won't even argue. Yesterday at work I got a call and to my friend I cut her off before she even got started and said I need to call you back I can't talk right now. I can I call you back before I leave. I had a line of people at my desk three people deep. An hour later I get a text asking when I would be off work and would I please call. Now some people would have been put off by my first answer, and she instead didn't make another call but waited for me to call her back....because she wanted to take me to .....

Yes those were really our seats no zoom on the cellphone - row 7 off the ice. To the left is where the refs came and went off the ice. Yeah it's good to be me sometimes. Did I mention the seats were a gift from her boss?

Houston in January.....

2008-01-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

So it could be that the VP wasn't there but at the new job this trip was the best one so far. The weather was dreary but still warm compared to Colorado. I am looking forward now to the mystery trip in February. I still don't know where we are going I only know the girls weekend is to someplace warm.

I had some great food down there, way too much of it but it was all good. At dinner last night we went with an RM Director who was telling us about a job she has coming open at which point in time -- I kid you not--my boss covered my ears and glared at the lady. My boss also told her she couldn't have me yet, but maybe in another 15 months. It made me feel really good on a couple different levels.

It is nice to be home though....

A Mommy First

2008-01-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Kaylee goodness love her, doesn't throw up that often. Okay so last time she did it I was around but not exactly. Her and the guy I was dating were running into the grocery store to start shopping and I was running into the liqueur store for baileys. Next thing I know the two of them are in the liqueur store and coated in white vomit. I must say he handled the whole thing extremely well, so much more grace than I would have. See she was on his shoulders at the time. So it pretty much rained vomit on him.

Fast forward to last night....Kaylee kicked me out of the room while she was taking a bath - she wanted to draw and then surprise me. I didn't go very far, and the next thing I know I hear UT OH MOMMMYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP ME MOMMY! I walk into the bathroom and she points at the neat pile of 'stuff' at the bottom of the tub and informs me that she made a mess and that I should clean it up. She did thank me while I cleaned it up and drained the tub. It was refilled and she was as happy as could be.

I can tell she is feeling better this morning as she wanted to put on a 'princess dress' - her words not mine. It's nice to see her getting back to normal or at least closer than she has been in awhile. I was actually able to clean the kitchen without her being attached to my leg :). I think I might even be able to manage a shower and oh yeah pack for the trip tomorrow. I also need to go shopping and find a nice black pair of close toed shoes that will work with a suit. It's a very high level meeting. I think I am the lowest worker bee invited. Right and then there is that small matter of a project I am supposed to present in front of the executive team while I am there....sweet mercy.

Myself

2008-01-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting week for me. I think sometimes we lose ourselves and it's the journey back where we learn something about ourselves. This week I let go of a few things that I had been selfishly holding onto, and some of it hurt but the worst part is knowing you hurt others.

KK is still sick and I feel so bad for her. It's hard to listen to her cough and look at her sores and know there isn't anything that I can do for her. Also very hard to take her to daycare when she tells me she doesn't want to go.

I am looking forward to the trip I have to take to Houston. I leave on Sunday and my boss and I have plans to hit a fantastic restaurant that night, and well probably at least one more night. It should be fun. I have been so busy at work that it will be nice to get away.

School is kicking my butt and I will probably spend a wild Friday night at home working on an assignment. I am trying to stay on top of the work but I am not sure I am doing all that well.

Why is it that nothing is ever easy :) ?

Traveling Soon!

2008-01-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

I had my boss tell me that we are going to Houston. I am just so happy that it isn't August or was it July when I went last year. So January, I am in Houston for 4 days with my boss and no VP to kick me out of meetings :). I can't wait to kick back in my suite and hit the pool each night.

Then in February it is a girls weekend away. We don't know where yet and we are winging it. Oh yeah we have an idea of where we want to go but we are willing to settle for someplace not cold.

Then in March I am going to Bulgaria & Austria with a day trip to Greece likely. It's a 10 day trip and will take the budget that I had set aside for Italy, but it is a huge group and should be a riot. The whole thing is planned and I am rooming with someone that is laid back and fun. IS IT MARCH YET?????????

I don't like making New Years Resolutions so I didn't. I start my next class next week and because of all the travel it is an online class with the same prof as last time. I know he will put up videos and that will help me. Nothing else really would have worked.

Hope the New Year finds everyone well.

A Rare Thing

2007-12-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

So it occurs to me that I haven't I believe ever posted a picture of myself on my site. I just hate the thought of pictures of me floating around on the net, but it doesn't seem so horrible through the pain pills. Yes tailbone was broken 5 days before this picture.

This beautiful hotel is the Brown Palace. This is Angie, me, and Lisa. This is the Christmas Party for my old company that I was lucky enough to score not one but two invites to.

Anyways Happy New Year!

I was right.

2007-12-12T06:34:00.001-07:00

I didn't get x-rays but the doctor said he was fairly certain I broke my tail bone. He said the x-rays wouldn't change how he treated it. He sent me out the door with an anti-inflammatory and vicodin.

Now, I used to be a real wuss when it came to pain, but after childbirth it is all relative. Last night I decided I was tired of the pain and took a vicodin. Sweet nectar. I had forgot in 3 days what it was like to not have pain. Okay so technically the pain is still there, but I just wasn't able to care about it. I had several conversations because I was feeling chatty and now understand it is much like what it must feel like to have ADD.

I really need to vacuum the stairs and the pine needles but I can't imagine being able to do that for like weeks.

I am fairly excited about the Christmas party for my old company which is Friday night. I went this past weekend and bought a new dress. For the first time in 3 years, it isn't a black one. It is a royal blue. It is elegant and gorgeous. I really wanted this year to dance on the bar at Coyote Ugly, but the tail bone fracture might be a bit prohibitive.

Interesting Day

2007-12-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

I think I broke my bum today. I slipped on the stair and bounced 3 times on my bum. This would be one of the few times where it would be better to have more cushion there.

Despite my obvious injury - I had dinner with one of my best friend's recent ex. I am working on getting them to sit down and have dinner together. Mission accomplished and now if things go horribly wrong it will all be my fault - but I have my injury to fall back on - ha ha!

Friday night is the company party that my old company is throwing that I scored an invite to. I had to buy a new dress. I am very excited although now dancing might not be on the menu.

I'll probably have to go to the doctor to confirm the broken bum self-diagnosis.

Updates and Whatnot

2007-12-06T17:53:00.001-07:00

There's a lot going on right now. I am currently trying to figure out if it is better to have kindness or passion. Either way it's tearing me apart.

I was back in South Dakota for Thanksgiving and it was nice but far too quiet and I started to feel much like a caged tiger. I went 4 wheeling with my dad and made him laugh so hard I thought he was going to wet himself. I had the little one and tried to go up a pretty steep incline. I am fine but the thing slid down the hill after a pretty rough bump on the incline. I thought for sure I was going to have a trip to the ER but just some soreness is all.

My cellphone died on the trip as well and the numbers in it became unrecoverable so if you haven't heard from me well that's because I don't have your number.

Oh and classes have finished up and it is one class down 13 to go.

I have a real and beautiful Christmas tree. It's only the second real one I have ever had.

There's tons more that is going on but public forum and all...

Hope everyone is well.

Talk Tech

2007-11-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

I must confess that I am not an Oracle guru. I spent an hour tonight working on scripts and kicking myself for using a real life example and thus complicated table joins and cross table queries. I got 60 % done with them tonight but now I have to figure out how to find a sum using one query string. I realize I am all wussified using programs that generate the SQL for you. While I can follow it that doesn't make me able to do it.

I am calling Oracle the victor tonight but we will do battle again tomorrow or Thursday!

You Can Do It!

2007-11-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

I have had my place for a good 11 months now and at times I still find myself in the mentality that I can't do things. I think because for the most part, there has always been some man around to fix it for me. I will admit that I was still playing helpless when I let my friend's boyfriend install my dishwasher. I guess it is still baby steps at times. I took a baby step this weekend when I fixed my toilet. Yes it wasn't too impressive as just part of the inside handle thingy broke. Still I did fix it myself without calling in any backup. Thank you to my friend who mocked me into doing it myself :).

And because I cannot resist...Last week I went on a date with one of the most boring people ever. Here are some of the gems of his first date material...

1) You are a cheap date.
2) Oh....you really aren't hungry. ( I tried to tell him but he didn't listen so well)
3) You really do like Indian food. (Is this something people lie about?)
4) Do you like massage? ( Very effective to say you don't like strangers to touch you)
5) Well... let me tell you about me. ( Yes he did actually say it.)
6) You're not going to let me drive you? (Freak.)
7) I have lots of free time. (.... .... ....)

Bummer

2007-11-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

The turkey bowl filled up with teams before we signed up :(. I am really disappointed about that. I was really looking forward to it and the weather of course was just gorgeous to mock me.

Friday night I went out to dinner and a movie for Lisa's birthday. Saturday I had lots of plans to choose from and I did what I probably should have done -- stay home and work on my homework. I am in the home stretch now and I am hoping to finish up my last assignment tonight or tomorrow.

I have about 6 days before KK and I get on a plane and freeze our bums off in another state.

Random Wins!!

2007-11-01T21:05:00.000-06:00

Here we are the cast and crew of the movie theme at work. They made me Carrie but didn't think I would go all the way! HA! Showed them I did! I had one co-worker tell me she didn't want to have her kids see me. I of course had to bring KK in to show off to everyone. She decided I was a princess and only a little scary. She charmed even the hardest to warm hearts. I heard stories today of how cute and terribly articulate she is. I seem to have earned the name of Carrie from everyone in the building who didn't know my name. I had no less than 4 people call me that today even when I no longer was covered in blood.

KK was very patient with me while I was on a conference call shortly after we got to my office. She decided to grab some paper and read me a story. It was all about Tigger, Poo & Rabbit. She's awesome.

So CAN'T WAIT for HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR!

2007-10-29T22:09:00.000-06:00

Here's my sneak peek!

Too Cute

2007-10-25T12:49:00.000-06:00

Last weekend we went to the Natural History museum and they have a kid's room. Here is one of the pictures of KK who thought the huge bubble play area was the end all be all.

Yuck Sick

2007-10-23T19:11:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a pretty horrible day. I tried to get Rockies tickets and that didn't work due to a 'denial of service attack'. I really don't buy it. I buy poor data design and infrastructure problems, but I don't think there was an attack on the site. Today it still took them well over 2 1/2 hours to sell tickets. That is just crazy and yes I am a bit bitter about it but see above about being sick. Ok I am on the spanish channel and even they are talking about the Rockies tickets.

Wait, I was going to talk about something else that made yesterday stink -- my car. I shouldn't complain, I really don't have any right to. My starter went out yesterday and while fixing it they found one of the sway bar brackets had rusted off. Fast forward about $500. The shop I take it to is really great and the dealership would have charged me way more.

I need to do more homework this weekend and I finally got my kitchen cleaned last night, due to no softball :(. It stayed clean tonight it was so nice to walk downstairs this morning and see it all sparkly. I am looking forward to the Turkey Bowl! I wonder if I will find another Romeo this year.

Things I have learned or relearned last week....

2007-10-20T23:30:00.000-06:00

1) That my daughter is adorably cute and can charm even the grumpiest people in a grocery store.
2) The $ value of underwear which I am willing to dig in the trash bin to find the Victoria's Secret bag they are in.
3) Homework sucks.
4) It is always better to catch the softball with your mitt than your calf or arch.
5) Accidentally having your shirt unbuttoned will get you better service.
6) I fight desperately to hold onto things that I should just let go of.
7) I want to be someone that gives energy to people instead of taking it.
8) Friends email you out of the blue. Good friends call just to see how your doing.
9) Opening banking accounts takes forever
10) Anne Klein jeans are the bomb.

Busy Weekend So Far...

2007-10-14T08:17:00.000-06:00

Friday night I debated going to a party with the Golden crowd but it was at 40 miles away and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, Angie and I met at my place and then went shopping for supplies to do some fondue. We started out thinking 3 courses of fondue, then narrowed it to two ( cheese & dessert) with coconut shrimp for the main course. This was quite ambitious of us and really we ended up doing only fondue 2 courses, and she's coming over today and we are doing the shrimp and tiny amounts of fondue. After the feast, we went to a movie and then like the fuddy duds we are -- called it an evening.

Saturday - my morning started very early -- call it 4 am when the smoke detector in my bedroom started chirping. I have lived here for 9 months and haven't really had a reason to play with the smoke detectors much. I wondered what the hell the sound was and then of course just tried to ignore it and sleep through it. After a couple minutes I realized a few things -- 1) The noise wasn't going away 2) It was the smoke detector and not so stray bird in the house 3) I really miss having living with someone else and sharing things like this. I staggered out of bed and looked for something to stand on. I found my computer chair and bottom line is I figured out the damn thing without breaking my neck. I was able to crash back in bed in silence and then was up fairly early anyway and do some much needed cleaning. I was then off to run some errands and ended up only being able to fit in a couple. I was at the bank for an hour and a half getting some things in order, opened a new checking, savings and CD. Closed out some accounts I haven't been using. Then picked up the pottery from two weeks ago, and then off to Macy's! Did some major damage there and didn't save as much as I was hoping. Then I still needed the dress for my Halloween costume, and remembered that a few years ago when I was getting a dress for Lori & Dave's wedding that they have discounted bridesmaid dresses so I convince Margie to come with me and help me try on dresses. We discovered that there really is no rhyme or reason to their sizing scheme. Anyway I was able to find a dress that was lavender and not horrible! It was quite cheap and doesn't look bad at all. I remembered trying on lavender three years ago and thinking it was the most horrible color ever, but now it's better. Ok so then I was home to get ready for the comedy club! We had such a good time and all the comics were very funny. And as a new experience - the first time I have ever accidentally bumped into a stranger and had them cheer about it. Did I mention he was a very attractive stranger as well?

I am supposed to go hiking this morning, but I hear the rain so I think I am going to be able to get my housework, homework and the rest of the cleaning done, oh and changing the batteries in the smoke detectors. Oh and we got soo much food for the fondue that Angie is coming back over tonight to help finish off the fondue.

Whoot Friday!

2007-10-12T07:09:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy week at work and I felt really beat up on yesterday, but I am hoping today is a better day. How can it not be? It's Friday. I am fairly amused that my boss and even her boss have been very very nice to me lately. I think with the only person I really got along with in the department leaving they are going out of their way to be nice to me, and I'll take it. It's hard being management sometimes. I also had the realization that as of the 23rd I will have been at the new job 6 months which means I could transfer to another department if I so choose.

I have a fairly full weekend on tap but it should be a hoot. Tomorrow night I have discounted tickets to see Jamie Kennedy at Comedy Works for me and 19 of my friends. I hope that they did fire the downer pot guy and that we don't have to suffer through that again. I have to find some time to do my homework as well. I need to get my bike tire fixed and clean the house. Oh and shop for Halloween. I might just have to post pictures depending on how the costume turns out.

A Dress You Will Ruin

2007-10-09T20:51:00.001-06:00

This weekend I have a task that is a bit odd. I am looking to buy a dress that I am totally going to ruin. How you ask? Oh I am going to pour fake blood all over it! I am not usually that into Halloween but it's a big deal at work. So I am going to probably do something I haven't done before -- still not totally sure I can just do it -- buy a used dress. I'll have to ponder this. I hate the idea but it is much more practical.

Grumpy Girl

2007-10-06T14:19:00.000-06:00

I suppose she comes by it honestly as neither her father nor I do sick gracefully. We just are not the suffer in silence type and she has inherited that lovely trait. She's got a heck of a cold and is teething on top of it so everything is a tragedy. KK and I had an incredibly rough night Thursday and both of us were crabby Friday morning.

The conference on Wednesday was fantastic though I am very glad I got to go. I had to really push it to make it to class on time. I really don't like downtown much at all.

Friday was another trip to the dentist for a filling redo and tons of x-rays. I did a half day at work and got my oil changed as well. I still need to make an appointment to get my car tuned but it will wait until I can figure out how to get back and forth to the mechanic. The downside to the new job with the bright shiny money is all the hours I work.

On tap this weekend is dinner with the consortium ( who spoils me rotten and I love them for it) and pictures for KK tomorrow! Whoot. Now perhaps my mother will leave me alone about them :).

Hope all is well with everyone else.

October Already?

2007-10-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

Where did September go? I seem to be losing time all over the place and don't seem to be gaining back any. I spent almost all weekend working on a busy work assignment for grad school. I have to wonder what I was thinking when I thought I could do all this.

Updates - Girl scout camp - not nearly as much fun as I was hoping but I was busy. Margie's parents took me out for a fantastic supper on the waterfront as a reward.

Work - My favorite person resigned and Friday is her last day. I have a convention to go to tomorrow. My boss told me today she doesn't think I have a mean bone in my body. I know....stop laughing....

Softball - It got much more fun when the uber competitive person quit while I was out of town last week. I guess I missed a heck of a tantrum. I got to slide this week! Whoot! I got way dirty and was safe! But in honor of the tantrum man, after the game before we left the field, everyone laughed themselves silly and threw a fit. It was very funny.

Life - Life is just busy. I was so busy I didn't have time to clean for a week and that really made me grumpy. We had a girls night out on Friday and that was just a riot. We had so much fun we have it planned again in two weeks. Sunday night was the comedy club where most everyone was funny -- except the one guy who decided to use the mic to tell everyone how horrible the management staff was for firing a girl for making him pot cookies. No I can't make this stuff up.

Give Back

2007-09-20T22:27:00.000-06:00

I have had an extraordinarily good day. You know it is all going well when you have time at lunch to run out and get a pedicure. Yeah, I did :). I can even say I was back in the office in under an hour. I was blessed with several utterly brilliant ideas today for work! This is why I didn't feel bad about the whole pedicure thing. Although, I miss foot rubs all too much.

I am headed out to Cali tomorrow. I decided this on Friday and didn't get my boss to sign off on it until Saturday and then got the ticket on Sunday. I must at this moment send a shout out to United because I was able to use my frequent flier miles without any hassle whatsoever, and on 5 days notice before the flight. I am headed out to Girl Scout Camp to volunteer for the weekend. I figure it should be a good way to clear my head, or at least I am hoping it is.

Oh and school is odd and thus far I think far easier than it should be. I say this knowing full well that I have a huge assignment that I am totally putting off :). I have a problem doing busy work just for the sake of busy work. I do feel much better though about my undergrad education.

When One Door Opens....

2007-09-12T06:33:00.001-06:00

Another slams in your face. I start my master's degree tonight, so last night the boyfriend and I broke up.

Must Learn Moderation....

2007-09-05T22:20:00.001-06:00

Had a horrible time sleeping last night. I crashed at about 10:30 and finally drifted off to sleep around 1 am. I was thinking about it on my way to work and decided I was not getting enough exercise so today --- I did 7 holes of golf in the blissfully wonderful rain ( the lightning started and we fled) and shampooed my downstairs carpet. I am feeling a bit exhausted. Ok a lot exhausted. I did come in to an email from my boss though telling me that the VP told her I did a good job on the call yesterday! whoot!

Like Monday but not...

2007-09-04T21:18:00.000-06:00

I thought I was being all cool and I even worked yesterday for almost a full 8 hours on work stuff -- from home but still I was quite proud of myself. You can imagine my surprise this morning right before I am to present this project to two different groups -- one being the President of the company and the other being a group of upper crust -- to be pulled into the VP's office and basically told she isn't sure I am up to the task and shouldn't I maybe let my boss do the presenting?

I normally love my boss and today she was amazing -- as we walked out she looked at me and told me I was the right person to do it, she had every confidence in me, and to go show the VP. She is the shield I definitely need between me and the VP. She told me she didn't want to do it just on principle. When we got off the call she told me that I did a great job. She also told me I did a great job on two other things, now this is really impressive because by her own admission she was crabby today and is usually stingy with praise :).

I am working on getting my ducks in a row to start my masters program next week-- YIKES!! next week! I have to write a letter of intent and do a few other things. I did some of the yesterday but to be honest I am a bit scared. I am being ridiculous and the only thing worse than being ridiculous -- is being ridiculous and knowing that you are.

Saturday! Whoot!

2007-09-01T07:14:00.001-06:00

I tried a new recipe last night with some filet minion and blue cheese recipe that I have. They could have cooked a lot longer. I know someone will protest my saying that :) as he thought they were perfect, but the time for well done made my steak still just a bit past rare. I ate the edges and I'll reheat it to medium and call it good. The recipe was really simple but tasty. I think next time I might use more of the topping.

Work is going well. My boss had a freak out moment when she decided to tell me a call I thought I was presenting to project managers, is in fact me presenting to the President and all the VP's. So I have a pre-meeting meeting bright and shiny Tuesday morning. I have a bunch of work to do this weekend as well but that's what tomorrow or Monday is for.

I need to take my bike to the shop because the front tire is flat. I am a bit annoyed by that as I haven't actually taken it out for a ride but a few times. I think I might fix that this weekend. I have plans also to go hiking on Monday. Yes I live in Colorado and haven't been hiking. I am hoping maybe to fit some golf in as well.

I also need to finish up getting fully signed up for my master's program and class.

It does sound like a busy weekend ahead, good thing I have 3 days.

Thankful yet Bitter

2007-08-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

I am very luck today in that my boss is cool about letting me work from home. My plan was to be here for the small window the A/C people said they would be here 8 am - 10 am. When it got to be 10:30 I called wondering why I didn't have someone at my house yet. Oh he's running late it will be another 45 minutes. I have a training session my direct report is doing at noon and I'd really like to be there.

When 11:45 comes around I call again - no answer. I left a voice mail asking if they'd be there today or if I should just call someone else. 15 minutes later the guy finally calls to say he will be there once he finds directions. I got a bit miffed though when he asked if they could do it tomorrow. I said more than no :). I give him directions and for whatever reason - I imagine lunch - he gets there at 1:45 pm. Now what is worse than a repairman running almost 4 hours behind? The fact that there is not one of them but two! Yes two repairmen and they can't get here on time.

I am a bit bitter at this point and the only saving grace is that the home warranty I got with this place will cover the repairs. Actually I have to pay for it, but I will get reimbursed. So I do have central air again! It was actually this wonderful fall like day and I wanted so badly to go for a bike ride but alas in waiting for the repairmen, having KK tonight, and being wickedly productive working from home there just wasn't time. It was one of those fabulous fall days that makes you want to rake leaves and play in the pile. No leaves turning yet though.

Oh and there was much drama surrounding my direct today. I have to wonder how long she is going to be there at this rate. I have to decide if I want to play nice or dirty. This would normally be an easy decision but I have beyond had it with her.

Balance

2007-08-22T06:27:00.000-06:00

Why is it that once one thing goes correct something else goes poorly? So I finally got my laptop working on my new wireless router ( thanks **Dave & Margie) so then I swear no less than 10 minutes later my central air gave up the ghost.

Hi my name is Jackie, and I am a wuss that can't sleep when she is hot. Add to this KK has a cold and it was a very trying night. I gave her the one fan I have. Note to self: buy at least one more fan.

When Extraverts Work From Home

2007-08-20T22:37:00.000-06:00

I did something today that I have never done in my professional career before - well two things actually. The first was to beg the lady sitting next to me to come to my desk and ask me for help to get me off the phone. I called to have my password reset and over a half an hour later when she was telling me about her husband's mother's husband that she married but refused to live with but married in secret. I am as chatty as the next person but could you please for the love of all that is holy tell a happy story? She was recently diagnosed with a pretty horrible disease. I know more about that woman and her family than any stranger you have never talked to before should. I tried unsuccessfully six times to get off the phone. This is why extravert's should not work from home.

The other thing I had to do was deliver a verbal warning to someone. I never had to do that before. I felt much better about it after she told me today what my job was and why I was hired. Its a sucky part of the management gig.

Oh and my big news -- I am going to go back to school and get my masters degree! I am going to start with one night a week and see how horrible I am after so long out of the game. Well that and with softball on my other off night it's all I have time for now :).

Busy

2007-08-17T23:15:00.000-06:00

So tonight I had plans with Angie, and we had a good time. We had a good dinner and then did a bit of necessity shopping. I had a lot of fun but I don't want to say too much and ruin any surprises.

Lets see I have had a busy couple weeks. Softball is starting up again on Monday! Hazzah! I have something else that is probably going to take up my Wednesday nights but again with the ruining surprises. There's a few people I want to tell first :). It's part of my quest to be a more understanding person.

KK turned two yesterday and is very much in love with a story reading bear that her grandma sent her. I had to make her chose this morning between the bear and the baby. I was very relived that she chose the baby. I didn't realize the second she turned two she was going to be into the terrible twos. I am really hoping it is that she is teething.

I decided to stay at my current company and not jump ship. Things are finally feeling like they are going well -- pretty well except for my direct report, but I am hoping that will turn around.

It must have been the suit.

2007-08-11T07:34:00.000-06:00

I had meant to tell a few Houston stories but I got distracted by things. I was with my boss and her boss. She ( my boss without hers) one night at dinner told me the story of how the last time they were there and all went out to dinner that everyone ordered what the VP ( my boss's boss) did at dinner. I must not have manners that way because it seemed crazy to me.

I was informed that the trip was business dress which to me means wear a suit. I am always afraid that when I do a bit less than that, I slip more into business casual. I had a suit for each day of the trip and one day I was dismissed during a meeting which was really cool because I didn't want to be in it in the first place. So I went to find some people I could learn from, and ended up inviting that person to lunch. I knew that the rest of the Denver people were tied up in meetings for the rest of the afternoon. He normally goes with another guy so I said to invite him too.

We went to a fish place and I ordered first. Yes I ordered swordfish but I was close to a coast right? Then in order both of the guys ordered the same thing I did. It took me a minute or two to realize what had just happened. I flat out asked if they ordered what I ordered on purpose and they both fessed up to it. I then informed them that I wasn't important enough to deserve that behavior from them and they should feel free to order what they wanted. I offered to call the waiter back over but they didn't budge.

It was a strange experience for me. I'll admit that I haven't worn a suit since then. I have noticed that people treat you differently when you wear a suit -- don't believe me? Try it.

Decisions Decisions ....

2007-08-09T17:54:00.000-06:00

So I get this email today notifying me that my boss at my old job just quit. Now three or perhaps even two weeks ago, I would have already turned my resume back in and see what happened -- now though I really have some evaluating to do. I just this week started to feel like I am really getting things and have got tons of praise this week from the upper management ranks. Why does everything have to be so hard?

Although my boss did tell me this week she is considering sending me to Houston again. Dear goodness I hope it can wait until later in the year :).

Not hot compared to say....HOUSTON!

2007-07-25T21:27:00.000-06:00

Sweet merciful holy whatever - Apparently it was about 10 degrees under the normal temperature while I was there. How the hell can anyone live in that kind of weather? I was in the pool every night and still managed to slide backwards on the whole weight thing. I had some great seafood there though and oddly enough some great Mexican food.

My boss was very cool on the trip, but the vp, well she never let me forget that I was the low person on the food chain on the trip and dismissed me from a couple meetings -- which was fine because that meant I got to go away from her :). I got soaked from head to toe in the 100 feet from the hotel to the office.

I am very glad to be back. Now I need a real vacation!

A Huge CONGRATS!

2007-07-21T09:04:00.000-06:00

I got back from Houston to find this in my inbox! Whoot! Congrats to Alex & Johanna! I am so happy for the both of you.

Tagged

2007-07-04T07:26:00.000-06:00

We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
Don’t forget to leave them each a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Habit - I never wear clothes more than once without washing them.

Fact - I am a firm believer in high thread count sheets. I believe right now the ones on my bed are 400.

Habit - I can't stand a messy kitchen. I usually clean it every night after dinner

Fact - My first car was a cherry red 1978 Chevy Nova

Habit - I make the bed every morning before work

Fact - I have an FCC license

Habit - I take my clothes in the bathroom to get dressed every morning after my shower.

Fact - I love my 4 Runner more than any other car I have ever owned.

I am not tagging anyone on this :)

Oh Please!

2007-07-02T22:01:00.000-06:00

Yes Dave I know you tagged me but I lack any spirit for answering facts about me just yet :). I will get to it I promise.

So the travel karma of the bad kind has caught up to me and the powers that be laugh as my butt will be in Houston this month. Yeah awesome - don't you wish you were me? But wait there's more - how about traveling with your boss and a VP! Doesn't sound like fun? I must be telling it right then. It can't be as bad as Georgia in August right?

I think I need another vacation. Yeah I think I do but the question is where to go....always where to go.....

Whoot KOA this week

2007-06-17T20:39:00.000-06:00

Been having some ups and downs at the new job and this week proved to be no different. I was so glad when Friday came. I am looking forward to taking a break and heading to California but before I do that I have some interviews that I need to do at work. They have gone through and done this really interesting training on how to interview. Great stuff.

Had a wedding this weekend and that was a good time. Had some post wedding stuff that wasn't so great and was a major bummer.

Tomorrow is softball and then Tuesday is another huge team building event. On Wednesday it is a much need pedicure and manicure trip.

Uninspired

2007-06-12T22:59:00.000-06:00

I am feeling uninspired lately as far as writing goes, so please forgive me. I had an awesome weekend which included:

1) Finally setting up the wine racks in the crawl space so I don't have 5 boxes of wine in my main floor closet anymore.

2) A whitewater rafting trip on the best water I have ever had the privilege of being on. Oh and I got to rescue a total stranger.

3) I bought a bicycle and did a 30 mile trip from Arvada to Golden - for I am an incredibly dumb person who at times forgets I am not 20 anymore.

4) And yes I did get my house clean and by some amazing stroke of luck KK didn't trash it tonight.

Let's see - softball we lost last night but I had fun. I made a 100k mistake at work that I then had to put on other people's plate to start to fix. Yeah I am finding myself singing It Sucks To Be Me often.

We What?

2007-06-06T21:29:00.000-06:00

It's been a hellish week at work with the VP and Director of my department out of town leaving me in charge of things. This of course is the only que that life needed to throw me a curve. Ugg. I can't say really what happened but it was bad and I got to be the bearer of bad news to the CEO. We hired a new supervisor and she's awesome and has jumped in full force and I am ever so thankful for her.

Softball....We what? We won again? GET OUT! It's true we kicked some butt and I got to bat in the winning run which made me feel all sorts of cool :). Having said that, I should also say the game went on for almost two hours and after a week off I am feeling old and sore.

Travel kharma has returned and I have angered the universe and to be punished I get to go to Houston in July. I know you can't help but be jealous :).

I have also learned that Avenue Q is not the soundtrack to listen to on the way to work because it will leave you singing inappropriate songs at work. I was smart enough not to sing them out loud but they were still running through my head. My boss was saying it out loud the other day and now we have it down to a head bob. If I haven't said it lately my boss pretty much rocks.

Tonight was my free night so I spent it doing a bit of shopping at the container store and then home to do yard work and cleaning. I didn't get it all the way done but I feel better about it. I had a list and it was a bit ambitous. I now have remembered something I can't leave undone so I am off to do it.

That Long Really?

2007-06-04T06:41:00.001-06:00

I hadn't realized that my last post was so very long ago. Life seems so busy right now. I look at the calendar and shake my head going really it's the 4th of June?

Tonight is softball. We had no games last week and the week before that we finally won our first game as a team. Oh sure it's only been a year but we had to go out and celebrate. Tonight's game is late so I don't fancy us going out after it, but I have been wrong before.

Work stuff - This is a strange roller coaster ride. My company is fantastic about getting people the resources to help them do their jobs. I have been already to 2 management training things and one of those was in NYC. I still sometimes spend more effort than I should have to convincing some people that yes I actually am higher on the food chain than they are. I hope it gets easier with more experience.

Life stuff - I want to get a bicycle and one of those carrier things for KK. That way I can go for rides and get more exercise. I am starting to put weight back on because it seems like all I do is work work work and I am drained when I get home but can't sleep because I haven't been active enough. So if anyone has any bike recommendations I am all ears or eyes as the case might be.

Oh and I am going white water rafting next weekend! WHOOT! The water will be at its peak and I can't wait. The weekend after that I am going to a wedding and the weekend after that is KOA!!!!!!!!!!! Now what can make that better? The head CFO giving us all 3 extra summer days off to use between June - August, so I go to KOA and don't have to take paid time off.

Planes, Trains and Limos

2007-05-20T22:02:00.000-06:00

It was a very long week. There were airport delays on both ends of the trip. I had to laugh as the girl I was traveling with made a joke about a limo about 10 seconds before we saw the guy with the sign with my last name on it. What can I say my company recommended a limo service. :). It was a stretch limo and the ride was sweet. He was a touch grumpy because of our flight delays but I called and they said they were watching my flight so I don't feel like it is my fault.

I am not sure we ever caught the train we intended to in the time I was in NYC. And looking back on it once at 1:45 am we followed people saying their train was leaving in a minute and so we followed them running through Penn station and THANKFULLY it was the train we were looking for. Although it wouldn't have been all bad to head back to the little Irish pub we were at. Thinking back on it now, following people whose train is supposed to leave at the same time as yours is probably not the best way to go.

The ride back to the airport was even sweeter! My boss, me and another employee in a stretch Hummer. Damn it was freaking huge. The downside being that it didn't have a trunk so the luggage was in one of the seats. We didn't notice because there was so much room. I'll say that the lazer lights inside were distracting when they were flashing across people. Then there was the delay at the airport and my goodness not one plane on time this trip. I'll take most of the blame for the trains though :).

Transportation Issues

2007-05-16T22:56:00.000-06:00

I am good and all fulled up on bad transportation kharma. I am so thankful to be back in my beautiful Colorado, but as I have been up since 4:45 am my time and just got home about a half hour ago I am beat.

Where the heck did the week go?

2007-05-10T22:50:00.000-06:00

I am seriously sitting down for a couple seconds for the first time since I left work today. I got KK home and I was chatting a bit at work so I needed to grab some food on the way home. I knew I was in trouble when KK started asking for cheese in the car. We got the food ate and then instead of tub and then Barney I pulled a fast one on her. It was outside time ( Mommy got to pull weeds and KK got to draw on the sidewalk.) then bath and then nighty night. Up until about an hour ago, she'd been getting up every 10-20 minutes. I did get the lawn mowed, and fertilized and watered. I have barely had time to pack but I am almost done now. I leave for NYC in the morning and I am really excited about it. This is much cooler than next month when I am off to Houston.

I am still feeling my age from softball practice on Sunday and then the game on Monday. We did better than any game last year. It was so much fun. Wednesday I should have gotten more done but I got distracted by a really great sale at Macy's. I have to get some rest now.

Another Long Week but Hope as Well

2007-05-06T07:47:00.000-06:00

Monday and Tuesday were extremely long days with me working almost 24 hours in those two days alone. I got some praise from the new boss which was nice. It was a very long week with the person that reports to me, but on Friday it was actually a good day! There was a long meeting Thursday night with her and my boss and the outcome was that on Friday we all had a good day.
Now do I trust that? No, not so much, but maybe the fact that the three of us were in a meeting in the morning and I had HR come find me because I had set up a meeting to talk the them about this maybe set off some warning bells as well. I am done playing around.

In other news I have softball practice today! GLEE! The games start on Monday and I am quite pleased. I am also going to play on Wednesday nights so that I can get outside and get more exercise. Is it whitewater rafting season yet? This is all the updating the toddler is going to stand for. Good day all!

Better than one vacation

2007-05-01T06:07:00.000-06:00

Because two is more than one! This month I am headed out to NYC! Three and a half days for fun and then three days for work. I still have no idea what I am doing while I am out there, but it will just be nice to get away. The Consortium and I got tickets last night for KOA and my new wonderful boss is letting me take time off in June for that. We combined plane trips so the hosts will only have to make two trips to the airport total. I love travel it is one of the things I look forward to.

In other news I got one of the bright shiny paychecks for one week. It was the size of my normal bi-monthly check. Granted it didn't have daycare, 401k, medical or anything but taxes taken out -- but it was so nice!

It was a LONG week

2007-04-29T22:07:00.001-06:00

Goodness bless my friends who have been amazing through all this. The ex-roomie for checking in on me and taking me to a neat little place called Vines on Friday night. The middle of the week wasn't as bad but by the end of the work day Friday it was. Saturday was shopping therapy and spending way more than I probably should have on clothes. Sunday my wonderful friends took me to the melting pot for a fabulous dinner.

Here's to hoping everyone had a better week than me and that the job gets better!

I should have asked for more money.

2007-04-24T21:39:00.000-06:00

I am having a bit of trouble adjusting to being a boss and while I only have one direct report I have been told what is expected of me and it is to be a leader to the entire team. There are a few people feeling jealous of the things I am being given. They are obviously ignorant of the expectations that have been joined with those things.

I am feeling frustrated and lonely. I suppose it isn't anything that shopping therapy won't fix. I am very much looking forward to the NYC trip. I also know there is a Houston trip in my future. Oh and my travel luck returns for that one -- mid summer.

Greener Pastures

2007-04-23T06:50:00.000-06:00

If the saying is true then today should be my first day in greener pastures. I should be getting ready but I think I got up too early and the orientation is at the office that is closer to me. I have a half day at this office and my boss was going to let me have the rest of the day off but her boss stepped in and nixed that. I have been warned about her and I am hoping it isn't as bad as I think it could be.

Thursday night my friends from the old job took me out and we had just a hoot. There was pool, shuffleboard, bowling and MECH Warrior. I found a mech that really agrees with me and won despite the boys that play army games for hours a night being part of the crowd. I held it together fairly well and only one person came close to making me cry but I didn't lose it until I was 5 feet from the door and alone. At my goodbye lunch one of the girls drew a picture using crayons and the tablecloth that is just precious. I am going to frame it.

I suppose I should finish getting ready. Hope all is well with everyone.

The Water Cooler

2007-04-18T20:12:00.000-06:00

I have had some really interesting conversations with my coworkers lately.

I was asked today if I would mind combining my going away lunch with someones birthday lunch. It is someone I have always liked and got along with, but it's hard not to like him because he's just so laid back.

Me and two other coworkers proved that we are so white it isn't even funny. I did make that comment and they agreed.

I was involved in a conversation that was a harassment lawsuit waiting to happen in the wrong audience. We all have worked together a long time so we knew it was alright. For the record I was doing more listening than talking because the boys were not playing nicely with each other :).

I was told I need to be more of a ho and that he wasn't going to let me see his wife anymore because I put defiant ideas in her head.

I had at least two people come to my desk and gasp when they caught me actually working. I won't get everything done but I should at least get a huge chunk done.

Living

2007-04-17T13:30:00.000-06:00

I just dropped my folks at the airport and it was wonderful to have them out here. I miss having them closer but neither of us are willing to move so what can you do? My daughter of course had them charmed from the first moment they were all together. I got so much done around the house this weekend. Electric lawn mowers just rock!

I do get to go to NYC next month. One of my friends is going to come with me so I am really excited about it. The new boss has been just awesome and I really hope that is a trend that continues. I got another call today about a job that is one my co-worker just took for the same company doing the same job. She took a contract to hire, they talked to me about a full time one :). I am now in the position of being able to recommend to him someone from my current job who I know is looking. It's a strange thing honestly. I think I have someone in mind but it's a strange thing to be in that position. The recruiter of course had to ask if he could woo me from the other offer I got. He admitted I had a very good offer and that he couldn't come close enough to it.

I think this Friday will be incredibly hard for me, and one of the saddest days I have ever had. I have been a bit of a mess lately just with all the change, so if I haven't been in touch as much I apologize and please just get in touch with me :).

Whoot!

2007-04-10T21:19:00.000-06:00

We should have enough people for a softball team! Why is it so hard to find girls that will play? I would be subbing for a friend of mine if I didn't have my girl on Thursday. I have missed playing and it will be awesome to see the usual suspects from my job. I am really going to miss them. It would be easier if I disliked my job or my co-workers, but that just isn't the case. I hope a year from now I can look back at this choice, and feel confident that it was the right thing, because right now it is the second hardest thing I have ever done.

They Don't Know

2007-04-09T07:22:00.000-06:00

I am hating leaving my job. I know that I really should but there is still that part of me that hates to quit anything that just is dying in all of this. I came into work this morning to see that co-workers either late Friday or over the weekend decided to use my white board to tell me how much they are going to miss me. They don't know how much harder that makes things.

And I Jumped.

2007-04-05T21:33:00.000-06:00

I did it. Yesterday I am such a wuss that I got all sorts of emotional when I was writing my resignation. I really don't hate my job. I enjoyed it truly, but I have some big concerns and well when you know your co-workers are making 15-20K more than you it makes you a bit bitter. My company was very cool about it and did offer to match it but then where do I go from there? The company is little and getting smaller each year.

Someone pointed out to me that this was the last in the wiping the slate clean and making my life different. Call it what you like but I am terrified.

My new boss called me yesterday and she was just so wonderful. She started by saying I know you have a little girl and if you can't travel I understand, but we have this managers conference in NY next month and I'd really think it would be great if you can make it. I mentioned this to my developer and she's like -- WE ARE SO GOING! She talked me into going the weekend before the conference and hanging out with her. She is checking with the fiance to see if she can go.

I found out today they have tuition reimbursement. It will probably have to wait until KK is a bit older though.

Part Blonde Tip # 106

2007-04-04T21:45:00.000-06:00

I have never done a drug test before and I didn't know my new job would require it so let me count my sins --

1) I had a couple poppy seed muffins on Monday as I had them left from Sunday which I had for breakfast that day too!

2) I wasn't thinking this morning and took some Advil cold and sinus which has of course pseudoephedrine. I thought of that moments after I swallowed it.

3) Rumor also has it that curry chicken can play havoc with the test and of course I had that for lunch today!

Here I am thinking all day that I am going to show up as an addict to Opiates and Amphetamines plus whatever the curry shows up as. Oh Joy! I have 48 hours as of tomorrow morning to take the test.

I freak out this much when I don't do drugs I wonder how it must feel if someone really did.

Part Blonde Tip # 105

2007-04-04T21:40:00.000-06:00

So I am a bit under the weather and when I got up to take care of KK I washed my hands before going into her room in the middle of the night. I figured that I had not dried my hands enough which is why she was a bit damp. Turns out instead that at some point in time her diaper shifted and she was wearing it around her leg which does no good really. By the time she was up and out of bed this morning the diaper issue was OBVIOUS. Needless to say she had a bath this morning before daycare and I was much longer getting out the door then I would have liked.

Bright Shiny Money

2007-04-03T04:49:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I got a job offer from a competitor. 40% salary increase with 401k matching and 13 miles from home instead of 26. My co-worker ( department of 3 ) turned in her notice yesterday. This means it is likely my company might try and match my offer. Now the only question is what do I do, if they do? I started out saying it was all about the money and now .... I hate being a quitter. Am I really ready to manage people, even if it is only 1 or 2 accountants?

I hope there is an easy answer because right now the choices all seem hard. It probably explains why I have been up since 4 am, because once I make the decision it will be done.

TMI

2007-04-01T21:31:00.000-06:00

I am posting here to say I have been doing too much posting here. I'll be posting less because I'd rather if people want to know what is going on with me they talk to me.

The Weekend - Hers and Mine

2007-03-27T19:27:00.000-06:00

I thought I had done something really pretty. These are my most favorite flowers. We had gone shopping at a home improvement store and she has also demanded that I get a packet of flowers that I will plant maybe Wednesday when I have a night off, but I am digressing again.

Then when I looked over I noticed that someone had done something even better. I'll never be as cute as she is. I am really okay with it.

The Whipping Girl

2007-03-27T08:07:00.000-06:00

In case I wasn't busy enough with the department being down one person, both of my co-workers decided to take trips this week. I am the whipping girl where everyone dumps the stuff they don't get to before they go. I had one of these wonderful 'stuffs' explode all over my desk yesterday. I am still picking up the pieces this morning.

Bowling was okay last night. I didn't bowl all that well, but it was still fun because of the people. Next week is supposed to be a fun week because the league is over. I have to get the softball team assembled and make sure we have enough people.

Time to go again the bomb isn't as dead as the whipping girl hoped. Good luck out there.

Bob the Attack Hand Puppet

2007-03-23T09:03:00.000-06:00

Awhile back I bought a hand puppet as a joke for someone, but it turns out that it was something my girl couldn't live without. Bob is a wild cat hand puppet and he has the most adorable ears. At a stop light today, I rummaged around in the back seat and pulled out Bob and then attacked her belly to a roar of giggles from her. I then handed Bob over to her and continued to drive. I hear another giggle from the back seat and when I turn around she has put Bob on her head and was waiting for me to notice. We both laughed.

I never thought....

2007-03-22T20:31:00.000-06:00

So I did finally post my resume on a large job site and didn't think much of it. I have gotten a few emails about it this week most for some odd reason want me to relocate to Wisconsin, um....no thanks :). Then I keep getting ones for the Springs, see above about no thanks :). Today I got an email about a job here in Denver when I didn't respond to it within 20-25 minutes, they called me.

Egad! They want me in for an interview tomorrow. The manager is staying late (their idea not mine) so she can talk to me ASAP. All good right? Not as much as you might think, see I haven't had a real interview in about 3 years which means the suit I had then falls off. I was supposed to have KK tonight and tomorrow night. Doyce is being very cool about looking out for her so I can check into this opportunity. I did go get a suit tonight. I would have liked to have more time to pick one out but I wasn't expecting a response so soon. Now I am all flustered because I don't feel like I have enough time to prepare. Even if nothing comes of it, it is kinda nice to have the company seek me out.

3rd Oldest

2007-03-21T21:27:00.000-06:00

A person I have worked with for a really long time came up to me today and asked what my hire date was. I told him, and he was asking because he was putting people in the order of how long we had worked at the company. The lady currently having worked there the longest is retiring at the end of the month, so we took her to lunch today ( MUST COME BACK TO THIS LUNCH AND SNARK!). I didn't have a choice or I would have so skipped the lunch. I am not really a fan of hers but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. I was just pleased she didn't talk about her sex life, well until one remark when we were back at work. Anyways, he thought I was 2nd oldest with her departure, but after talking to finance, who can check hire dates, it turns out I am 3rd oldest. I hit my 11 year mark with the company this month, to celebrate I am searching for a new job.

So anyways back to lunch today, there is a place we always drive by but never really stop for lunch and today we decided to take our retiring co-worker there. It's a cute little country looking house. I wanted to leave the second I walked into the place. This place made the Hermitage look modern, vintage doesn't even cover it. It was like country gone bad meets 50's decorating. There were things on the wall I didn't even know what they were - turns out they are old style potato mashers. I looked around at the other diners and felt two things 1- I felt really young. The average age was well over double mine - hands down. 2-I felt dirty. I felt like I was tainted having been there. It might have been the guy with long unkempt hair and missing teeth that kept staring at me. One of my co-workers is almost 50 and he felt young in the crowd. This was a huge gathering of old and unattractive people. The food was fair and definitely homemade but I won't willing step foot in the place again :).

Busy

2007-03-20T21:26:00.000-06:00

And yes I have been quiet, but with the boss departing it means all her projects were shifted to me and now I am keeping very busy at work.

Also I believe in karma-- the girl who pawned her client off on me and made me work last weekend-- has been requested to be at work this Sunday at 7 am. I have to be online to assist but at least I can do it from home. Yup sometimes is sucks to be me!

Where did the weekend go?

2007-03-20T21:01:00.000-06:00

Friday night I went out with a couple of the girls and we saw Hog Wild, and I liked it despite John Travolta being in it. I laughed pretty hard at times. I did some cleaning and then set my alarm as one of the clients decided that I should be at their beck and call Saturday morning. My co-worker was supposed to do it but she went up to the mountains instead. Ugh.

So I got things pretty well handled by the time we had tickets for 300 at the IMAX. That was sweet and I was pleasantly surprised by the eye candy! I then went home and did more cleaning and a bit of baking while Dave hung the last of the pictures before the party the next day :). Then I goofed off for a while that night.

Sunday was the party and it was just a hoot and such a wide selection of people from my life. It was nice to have everyone over and for the record you people did not drink nearly enough alcohol because my fridge is still overloaded with the stuff and it will just rot there!

Sadly on the trip news front the first trip to Cali got cancelled due to some scheduling difficulties but I think that might mean just a longer trip in June. I am not sure how I feel about that as it means the middle of summer and that Disneyland will be packed. I got invited on another trip - this one to Las Vegas but it is on a weekend when I have my girl so that won't work.

Bowling last night - 1st 2 games I bowled awesome-- 3rd game well did I mention how well I did on the first 2? I am working on getting the softball team together so we can play in May and I am really happy about that. I can't wait to head up the mountains and doing some white water rafting this summer.

Traveling Ways

2007-03-16T08:51:00.000-06:00

One of the nice things about being married is that you have a built in travel partner and if you're lucky you want to go see the same places and travel the same way. The ex and I never enjoyed travel the same way. I am the kind that can live out of a suitcase and never really unpack it and be in a different place each night if it means doing more of the things I want to do. He was more of a nester. He'd like to sit down and create a base camp and unpack his suitcase before anything else was done. This was a source of frustration for both of us.

I know I had a point here somewhere....oh yes! So I am going on a whole bunch of trips it seems this summer, and some of the people I have traveled with before and some not so much but it will hopefully be all good! I started to think and count - California twice, Vancouver, Cape Cod, and San Diego ( which yes I know is in California as well so that makes 3 :). I think some of these are much more likely to happen than others but possibly they all might happen.

So what kind of traveler are you and if you could go somewhere this year, where would it be?

Sprinkles

2007-03-15T08:25:00.000-06:00

Whoot! There were sprinkles of rain on my windshield as I drove to work today! It's been near 70 or above all week so it is a nice little break. I am however wishing I had thrown a jacket on before I left the house but I'll take being a bit chilly with the rain and call it good.

At lunch today I am going with my developer to check out an Italian market. It should be interesting.

We did get the lady we wanted to be our boss convinced to take the job and they did hire her so again Whoot!

KK got her pictures done last night and she managed to be adorable, like always! I was however disappointed that they are not doing calendars anymore for this year. It is extremely hard to get that girl to sit still.

I have given some advice to my co-worker who is having some issues with his teenager. This is awesome advice to all parents of pre-teens and teens -- GET YOURSELF A SAFE! Keep your important things in it. Now if your teenager is a driver, then storing keys to vehicles in there is a fantastic way to have them in the house and not have the teenager turn the house upside down looking for them. Also it makes a great repository for cellphones when they are taken away. Seriously some of the best advice I can give is get a safe.

Death on the Mind

2007-03-14T08:45:00.000-06:00

So lately I have been thinking about what happens to things when I die. I seem to have this thought every spring and I keep telling myself that I need to get a will done. I have this long list of things to do that never really seems to get done, but I will get some of it together and handled when my folks come out in June! It will be nice to show my place off to them.

Speaking of death, I finally worked out my taxes last night. I had hoped I might eek out a minimal refund but no such luck as I didn't buy my house until December and it isn't my year to claim KK and various other just poor timing issues. Luckily, the amount I have to pay in is only 2 digits to both state and feds combined. I think it has been about 8 years since I owed the government money.

I have been very remiss in party planning for this weekend and I really need to make a run to the store and oh yeah figure out a menu too. There never seems to be enough time in the day. Tonight is my off night with KK but we have pictures so I am not sure what I will get done after that. I will say that I am blessed with friends who ask, " Hey did you want me to come over and help clean or just get stuff done for the party?" Now let me be clear - this isn't because they think I keep my house a mess, but just because she knows I would never ask even if I needed help. She has instead informed me she will be over early for the party :).

In my grand plan to have dinner with KK when she is at my place, I run into the problem of the mess left over by making said dinner. I have started a process by which after dinner it is bath time for her and then after bath time she gets a half hour of tv. Sadly enough, this has been meaning BARNEY, but last night I threw in a new DVD that I got which was Baby Genius and children's songs. She stayed put for the entire half hour -- which meant I had a cleaner kitchen then when I started the evening! She did the occasional over the back of the couch check to make sure I hadn't been taken away but she was content.

Yesterday I also found at the store the first set of Gerber daisies for sale! No I didn't buy all of them, but instead picked out one pot and KK very much approves proclaiming it as 'pretty'. Is it sad that I can't wait for spring just so that I can mow my lawn? I can't tell you the last time I mowed which is kinda sad as I like to do it. I should probably fire up the mower this weekend just to make sure that 1- it works and that 2- I can start it. I don't remember seeing a manual with it and I've never had an electric one before. I am sure there will be huge comedic value in it.

Truth

2007-03-13T13:37:00.000-06:00

Why is it that so many people are confused about how to tell the truth? It is one of my big pet peeves. I don't lie well because it was never I skill I cared to develop. I never wanted to bend things to put me in a more favorable light, and if I do or did something I am honest about it. Some people seem to be able to lie to themselves so well that they start to believe it. Truth doesn't have an opinion and it is indisputable.

If you are lying or misleading someone about your actions -- perhaps you should have thought them through better or did things differently. You can try and reinvent history but the problem is that the truth is still out there. Sometimes the truth is naked and ugly, and sometimes it is a breathtakingly wondrous thing, but I'll take the truth any day over the most beautiful lie.

*Kicks the soap box back under the bed.

Yucky Mommy Stuff

2007-03-12T10:29:00.000-06:00

The angel slept through the night which could have gone either way as she skipped her nap yesterday. She woke up chipper and happy as she normally does and all was right with the world until......I asked her to pick out her shoes and lined the two choices up for her. She took one and put it back where I got it from, and I stupidly assumed that she wanted the pair she didn't put back on her feet. She picked that pair up out of my hands and chucked them across the room. ( Have I mentioned what a good arm she has?).

Now usually she can just be told she's going to the daycare lady's house and then she is happy to put the shoes on, but today she was having none of it. She is usually happy to put her jacket on too, but not today. She wanted to stay at the house with me all day again. Which should make me feel great but there is so much to do at work that it just wasn't possible. So I asked her to come talk to me and she did. I gathered up the jacket and shoes and decided the little battles didn't matter it was the war that was important. She was ok with getting in the car as long as I wasn't putting the shoes and jacket on.

Now I did manage to get socks on her and she managed to pull them off on the ride and make them into a wad and hit me in the shoulder with them. I had to look away and laugh a little quietly so she wouldn't see it because while it might amuse me today, it may not be amusing in the future.

She was happy to get to daycare and I brought her stuff in and apologized to the lady for my daughter arriving in clothes and socks and let her in on what happened. KK let me know she wasn't pleased but eventually gave me a hug.

I am not sure if it is better to have her scream at the door when I leave daycare or not want to go altogether but I am hoping this is a short lived phase.

Sunshine how I have missed you.

2007-03-12T06:54:00.000-06:00

I'll start with Friday as that seems the best way to go. It was my boss's last day and I will miss her. We had lunch out at the Macaroni Grill and it was quite yummy! Then Friday night I went over to the ex-roomie's sisters house for a girl get together. KK had so much fun being the center of attention with the 4 other kids. The sister had the most adorable conversation with KK that I have ever seen. There was good Chinese food and ice cream for dessert and all of us agreed we must do it more often.

Saturday. I knew I wanted to take KK to the zoo at some point this weekend but it just looked dreary out. It even rained just a little and it was nice but not really going out weather so KK and I just hung out here and did the endless she makes a mess I clean a mess cycle. This is the day I was reminded how awesome microsuede is. My girl while talking on the phone to daddy decided to color with an ink pen on the couch and she missed the paper about 8 times. I got out some cleaning stuff and be darned if every mark didn't come out. Now I remember why I was so insistent that my new couch be microsuede.

Sunday I did remember to turn the clocks ahead. I wasn't sure if my computer would do it or not as I didn't download a patch because I wanted to wait and see. I called the consortium at 10 because I noticed they had a clock malfunction and I thought I would check on the plan. It looked like a fantastic sunny day out. We agreed on a plan and I took both girls to the zoo as I had offered to do on Friday. It was a great day to be at the zoo and that meant it took a long time to find a parking spot. The girls had lots of fun and after 4 hours I knew there wasn't going to be a nap if we stayed at the zoo. I had to stop at the grocery store on the way home to make good on my threat to make dinner. Poor Dave as hanging some of the new art meant moving some of the old art and the job was too big for one night. I am closer though to being ready for the party this weekend.

On another note my girl was just awesome this weekend. She slept through the night 3 out of 4 nights and that is a trend I can live with.

Thursday?

2007-03-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

It doesn't feel like Thursday. This might have to do with going out last night for my boss's going away party. She's here until Friday, but the big boss man was on site yesterday interviewing people for her job. It's kinda funny as we all bugged the person we want for the job until she applied, and she was the only one who did so we know she will get it. The funny part is that her old job is the one I filled when I took this position, and now I think I'll apply for the opening she will be leaving.

Yesterday was extremely busy with work stuff and I went out after work, already half brain fried. My developer just came by to remind me I have a meeting in a few minutes. I went from that meeting to another meeting and now feeling buried.

At times I think I am too much of a planner. I am trying to figure out my vacations this year. One friend wants me to go to Vancouver with her, another to Cape Cod, another to San Diego and yet another is pushing for Vegas. Vancouver is a trial run with a girl who really I shouldn't get along with but oddly enough I do. If we can do that trip well then we might look overseas for something fun.