HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We were allowed to dress up at work today. I took the easy/comfortable route and am wearing Rob's karate outfit. We also have Superman here, a gypsy, a Raggedy Ann, an "always a bridesmaid, never a bride", and my favorite...can you guess?

She's Wonder Woman in mid-spin!

So she's half WW and half Diana Prince. You can't see the details very well but she has some military patches on that blazer. She's even got her golden lasso of truth!
She gets the prize for most creative. But Michael gets the prize for literally stopping traffic in his Superman costume when we all walked to lunch together.

New (Work) Project...

I'm really excited about this project I've got in the works at work. One of my main clients is a company that designs and makes glass bottles and jars for all kinds of products...from Ragu to Jim Beam to Smirnoff to Michelob, and a LOT of wine bottles. I have an idea to create a really eye catching product display for them using a resin product that encases different materials. I came across one that is glass...very appropriate for them...in the colors of wine bottles (green, brown, clear, blue). Then I got an idea. The crushed glass the manufacturer uses is recycled...why couldn't we use the actual glass that my client manufactures to put into the resin? They've done custom stuff before, this wouldn't be all that different. So first the rep had to find out if the company could do it. I just got the word today that they most likely can but will need some of the glass to be used to do a test. So now I had to find out if I could even get my hands on my client's glass. You see, I do their headquarters...but they have manufacturing plants all over the US...the world actually. So I didn't know if it was possible from that end. I called my contact and he said, "I can get you whatever you want...you want a truckload? A bucket? What?"
So it will be off to the factory for testing. And I have to finalize some sketches for the display I'm thinking of. It will be especially awesome if we can have some of it backlit. I have the sample I got shown. Pretty cool eh?
I will be absolutely stoked if they approve it all and go with it...because I think it will have a snowball effect. I think they'll want to update all display areas in the building and possibly use the panels for other things...it can be used as doors, inlayed into furniture. And maybe, just maybe, they'll want to use it in all of the sites all over the US...world? I won't get my hopes up, but how cool would that be?!

So I'll keep you posted on that!



Grammar Disgrace of the Day:
nonconspicuous

And have I mentioned SAMWICH yet? (As in I'll have a ham samwich)
Don't get me started. Just imagine me going off on a rant.

Angry Mix Monday...

The headphones went in on high volume at about 10:00 this morning. The silverware/glass noise was getting to me worse than usual. There's something about that sound...*cringe*.

Also, it's one of those days you wonder what certain people would do without you...or at least someone like you. I have 3 fires to put out...really? You can't figure this one out on your own? Or you think I enjoy doing this? I enjoy trying to solve problems that are more than 1,000 miles away. YOU are the one that didn't give me the correct details in the first place, but please allow me to get you out of this lovely hole you have dug for yourself.

Ok, rant over.

This weekend was productive! I got one tiny section of the desk in the den cleared off...seriously that really is progress! Also got our landscape solar lights installed...that sounds like such a huge thing...but they're only those plastic stake ones. But they sat for so long, then we were like..."why didn't we do this already?". AND...drum roll...the headboard project is 95% complete! Just need to attach the 2x4 legs and that's it! There will be pictures later so I can show an 'install' shot. I have mad staple gun skills.

We're getting the house ready for the in-law visit!!!

Ok, I now grudgingly go back to work and help the helpless.

Props to ebay...

Ok, I need to give some big kudos to ebay.
Apparently my account was hacked Tuesday, someone tried to list items to sell under my account.
Not only did ebay send me an email before I received confirmation emails that my items were listed, but immediately following those 'confirmations' I received an email from them explaining that they had removed the items and gave advice on passwords to change and things to check to make sure I wasn't further compromised.

I'm not sure how they knew it wasn't me listing the items. Perhaps they knew I have enough fashion sense to not try to sell those hideous UGG boots (let alone wear them)! Ew.
At any rate, it has made me an even more confident ebayer and very satisfied user. So bid away my friends! Your identity is SAFE!

I did it again today...

OCD Skittle eating...

It's Good News Friday!!!

She's coming home!

Lucy had been offered the job with FFA and has accepted. She will be moving back to good ole Indiana over Christmas Break and will begin her new job January 7th. AND he's moving out! (This was a point of contention.)
So all is well...however, the official comfort & celebration will only occur when she moves here!

That's really all I've got for today.

I leave you with words of wisdom, I find this to be true for virtually everyone...

If someone isn't trustING...they usually can't be trustED.

This bugs me...

Am I the only one this bothers?

Here's an annoying sound to hear at work...it's lunchtime...I have no qualms with hearing anyone crunching their food or rustling their paper to-go bags from McDonald's or wherever. I have a problem with hearing your metal fork clink with your ceramic (or glass) bowl or plate. I don't know why it's bugging me so much...it doesn't at home. But we're at work. I guess I just feel like that stuff belongs at home. Seriously, have you heard of tupperware and plastic forks? We have a bunch of plastic utensils that you can use FOR FREE in the break room. Save me from that damn clinking noise that just doesn't belong in an office!

Or am I just still grouchy?

Well, my headache is finally gone. I did have to go home from work again yesterday. But the doctor gave me some meds to conquer the headache plus a prescription for something that hopefully works and won't make me take out a loan. I've never had a reaction to drugs the way I did yesterday. I was OUT OF IT! I felt drunk without the good happy feeling. And my face felt numb...kind of. I couldn't focus at ALL. I slept it off and finally felt ok later and no headache.

And hey, what happened to all my commenters? Comment people! You don't even have to have an account to do it!

Don't Stand So Close to Me...

Yes, like the song! Don't stand 3 inches away from someone in a line and be shocked when you are plowed over when they turn around to leave! Is it necessary to stand on my coattails?!
At Panera this morning I almost wish I had a hot coffee in my hand to 'accidentally' spill on this lady that didn't seem to grasp the concept of personal space. I mean, I was penned in. I kind of need to be able to leave the counter area for you to even order...get the F out of my way! She's the same person that doesn't wait for you to get off the elevator before she enters...even if it's almost full.
Ok, so I still have my headache and I'm always more grouchy on the second day. So excuse me if I'm a bit crass. Today I don't care. In fact, I kind of let her know she was in my way...I didn't knock her over but I didn't make an effort to NOT nudge her. I bet you anything she still doesn't get it.

Headaches...yea, I'm going to the doctor in about 15 mintues. And of course my usual doctor doesn't work on Wednesdays. WTF? Oh well. Yesterday my hair stylist gave me a Vicodin. "Ooooh, bad, you should never take a prescrip that isn't yours!" I didn't care. It helped!!! AND the generic is actually on the Tier 1 list of prescription coverage, meaning I won't have to take out a second mortgage to buy it.
Have I mentioned how I hate insurance and I think it's just a big scam?

Anyway, I'll let you know how the narcotic works for me today. :)

There are little men with pickaxes chipping away in the left side of my head! (& other stuff)

Yep. Again. MY HEADACHES SUCK! My guess is the weather change did it. The high yesterday was 78, the high today is 20 degrees cooler. Everytime a storm or wicked front comes in I have a headache. I would be pleased to NOT be a human barometer.

It's really quite difficult to focus with my left eye, and working on a computer all day long is GREAT.

My 'headache cure' from Starbucks isn't really working so far (grande nonfat double white mocha)...I probably could have gone for a triple.

Anywho...Lucy's kickin' butt on her working interview with FFA...it's all but official. She'll be back in Indiana where she belongs soon!

Ok...I've shared some of my "OCD" with you...grammar being the biggest so far. I can't remember exactly all the things I've talked about and frankly just don't feel like looking back. But here's another...

This is how I eat my Skittles (or other colored/flavored candies). I was eating them at work the other day and I did this...I took the pic with my phone. You can see that's the folder of the project I was working on and that's my carpet coaster...anyway!

Yes...I divvy them out by flavor/color. I pull aside the flavor with the least quantity...I had already eaten some Skittles in this case but you can see that obviously there was only 3 of something (and there were NO green ones in this bag!) so then I take three of all the other flavors and put them all aside like you see here. I eat those last. I pick of the remainder at will. Then when it gets to the equal amount ones, I eat them one at a time starting with my least favorite (if I have one) and cycle through...in this case...lemon, grape, orange, cherry, lemon, grape, orange, cherry...etc.

No lie...you can't make this up people. And I have done this for as long as I can remember.

The Big Harry Potter News...

Although I don't really consider this a true 'Spoiler', for those of you that don't want to know until after you've read the last book, STOP READING. It may effect the way you intake some book information.

Rob stop reading here. **Never mind, you heard at dinner last night (10/22). You can keep reading now.


So Dumbledore is gay. Big deal. I mean, it's cool that a character of such importance has been revealed to be gay...or at least JKR said she "always thought of Dumbledore as gay". I think it's great. But there will be those idiots out there that will let that revelation affect their view of the books. We already had the religious zealots that condemn the book (for no good reason in my opinion) now we'll have the gay-haters. But if they are single-minded enough that an outside of the story revelation by the author (his being gay was never in the books in anyway nor affect the story) will make them hate the books...so be it. We don't need you.

I'm a pretty open minded person so the announcement had no affect on my fondness for the books or movies. My reaction was mild surprise but mostly just "oh. cool." but I also knew that there would be parents that take the books away from their kids, haters that burn their books, and other narrow-minded folks protesting in whatever way they think is appropriate.

Let me just say this...hate is not appropriate. Kids should be able to make up their own minds on who to love and who to hate. Yes, parents have a lot of say in what their kids believe. But preaching hate in any way about anyone, is wrong.

Besides, this was something that JKR decided to reveal as how she imagined the character. It's not IN the books. Who says that you have to go along with it?

Tornadoes, the Weekend, & Cutting the Cheese...

Tornadoes...
A small town near my hometown was hit by an F3 tornado on Thursday night. Luckily no one was killed and there were relatively few injuries compared to all the damage. You can see photos at this link, I think you can view them without having a Kodak Gallery account. I've included a couple of preview pictures. (Thanks Brent for the info!)

It sounds like the outpouring of volunteers to help clean up is immense, so much so that they've turned people away.

Sidenote about me & tornadoes: I dream about them often. And almost every time I dream about one, I find out that there was one overnight somewhere or there is one somewhere the next day. A little spooky. Now I did not dream about tornadoes the night Nappanee had one...but that was the night I couldn't sleep hardly at all. Coincidence?

The Weekend...
I worked for Shawna again this weekend. We finally nailed down the studion layout & furniture. And I got to do some processing on photos! It was only some touch ups and adding some effects (color/sepia/etc.) but it was fun! Every little bit helps me gain experience and understanding. Saturday was a gorgeous day here and Sunday was pretty darn nice too, I loved having the windows open again! We cleaned up the house again as Lucy is staying with us tonight! We're going to grill some steaks. Mmmmm, steak.


Cutting the Cheese...
It's not what you think. I was literally cutting cheese on Saturday night to have a little snack. I failed in my second attempt in my life to cut the top of my left thumb off. No stitches. But a lovely gash across my thumbprint. I have no idea how deep it is, it bled nicely but I'm not a dummy, I put pressure on it until it slowed, put Neosporin on it and a Band Aid. Couldn't have been too deep or it would have taken a lot longer to slow the blood flow. It still hurts a little, but I think that's because it's right where I press the space bar with my thumb and even though I typically press the space bar with my right thumb...when I'm drafting in AutoCAD it's always my left cuz my right is on the mouse. So...yay!
My first attempt to cut my thumb off came in college while doing a project board for one of my classes. To get a nice straight cut on the foamcore you cut against your metal ruler...and hopefully your fingers and thumb holding the ruler firmly in place are out of the way. To get that crisp clean cut you cut fast with a fresh blade. Yes...my thumb was peaking out over the cutting edge of the ruler...yes, it hurt...yes, I had stitches...and yes, I had a Purduette performance in less than an hour after I got out of Urgent Care...and yes, as a true performer, I did go on. I walked in with just enough time to find my spot in line and we were on. And it fricking HURT by the time we were done. But...the project happened to also be a contest and I happened to win first place! Not only did my carpet tile design get produced (ok, just for me but they had the option to pick it up) but I also got $300 cash. I had a few bucks leftover after it paid for the stitches.

For the 'Survivor' Fans...

I met Rupert tonight!

I'm not really a fan of Survivor, not even reality TV so much. But I do like Rupert. He's from Indy so we hear about him all the time. I like him because he's a real guy. Not a guy trying to be real famous.

Anyway, I met him at a party that one of our dealer's throws every year. It's always a fund raiser for something and this year it was Rupert's Kids. So Rupert was there! And here's the proof...


Another reason we go to this party...free drinks and food. This was before we accidentally set a program on fire via candle flame. Oops. It wasn't me!!!

I also got an autograph. I doubt it's worth anything, I might just give it to my mom...she was really excited that I met Rupert.

Introducing Grant Curtis Day...

Isn't he sweet? Only 12 hours old.
He's got Brian's eyes and the 'famous Day chin dimple'. He was a sleepy one...but he had a rough night too! Mary is doing well, her only complaint was a headache. But she was uber-appreciative of the Diet Coke we brought for her last night. It didn't even make it out of the labor-delivery room! That was the thing she wanted most, glad we could provide!
Below is the 'extreme close up' and a pic of Mags, me, mommy Mary, and little Grant.

Storms, Driving, & Babies...

Fun times driving in this morning. Torrential downpours and stupid drivers. It wasn't a massive storm the whole drive in...but you know the syndrome. You don't? You know...the "Oh my God it's raining I completely forget how to drive" syndrome. See, I knew you were familiar with it. Apparently it really stormed during the night though...power outages, down powerlines, stoplights out...I had no idea. It's probably why I slept so well.
I came across one accident on the way in, it was at a roundabout...and I know some people have no clue how they work even though they are all over the place here. You think you'd learn eventually. (Traffic gripes are for another post...I've got a long working list going for that one!) Well, I was following a slow car through the roundabout that had the accident on the other side (it was at location 9 o'clock from me) and I'm thinking "Jeez a-hole get going! Frickin' rubber necker!", I even yelled outloud "GOOOO!"...then his flashing lights came on and I said "oh".
The rest of the way in was uneventful...only the people forgetting how to drive.
We're under a tornado watch until 10:00 am and we're supposed to get more severe weather tonight. yay

Finally...
Baby Day is here! We went to the hospital after work to get the latest, knew he at least wasn't born yet. She was steadily (but slowly) dilating but nothing. We left around 7:00.
This morning after waking up I texted Brian and said "Well?". He replied. Grant Curtis Day was born at 11:39pm...barely October 17th...7 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches long. Pictures will come later, we'll head over there at lunch!

And...
Lucy flies in today! She's going to kick butt on all interviews and working interviews, get hired, and move here!

It's been a couple of GOOD days.

Oh dear...

It seems our buddy George Lucas may be up to no good. There are rumors of a Star Wars television series. It would take place between Episode III and IV of the movies, but revolve around minor characters.

Now I love Star Wars, but I don't feel good about this. Is there really any milk left in that cow? And for television?? I wonder if the special effects will be up to 'Star Wars' scratch? I may check it out if it ever develops...to see how bad it is. No, I don't have high expectations.

Check out the story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/17/people.lucas.ap/index.html


What about you? What do you think about this...venture?
-"Great idea! Can't wait to see it!"
-"No way...Star Wars is done...let it rest in peace."
-"I'll give it a shot to win me over"

Baby Day is on the way!!!

Mary & Brian are having their first child today! (Most likely today...her water broke somewhere around 5:30 this morning.)

The phone tree was activated and I got the call around 8, then I called my person. We're just waiting to hear news. Rob and I might actually go to the hospital at lunch, it's just down the street and they have an open cafeteria...and the food is actually good!

If we go and if little Grant Day has been born and if we can actually see them, I'll try to remember in all the excitement to take a pic with my phone.

Mary was the pregnant bridesmaid at our wedding for those that might need a reminder!

On another note...Sable has been a little puke machine lately.On Sunday she puked about 11 times. It was all foam or liquid with some hair in it. (I know...gross...) But I did manage to keep her off of the carpet. We're not sure what brought all that on, cuz she just stopped and was done. Maybe a hairball she could never get up? Who knows.

But she does have another puking habit. She eats too much too fast...and apparently wants to see it all again. Out in one big unchewed lump it comes. Yesterday it was in her water bowl...that was nasty...but easy clean up! So now we have to feed them in stages. pets.

Found upon browsing...

I know...how many posts can I have in ONE day?

But I wanted to share these things too!

Ok, here's a blog that I found by accident...searching Google for some pictures and there it was...and I love it's title. "Holy crap does that piss me off"! How great is that?
http://holycrapdoesthatpissmeoff.blogspot.com/

And Rob & I totally saw an accident on the way in this morning. It happened literally right in front of us. We probably should have stayed as witnesses, but nah. Plus I think the lady could really hold her own. So we're on 116th Street approaching the light at Keystone. It's where one lane becomes 4...two straight lanes and a right and left turning lane. And in the middle of the split there's a tiny plaza with a Starbucks in it (great planning) and we saw that there was a car sitting there wanting to come out...an older model Jag to be more specific. And we are in the left straight lane...the guy in the right straight lane has left a gap for anyone trying to come out of there and go all the way over to the left turn lane...so we are nice enough to leave a gap too. Well, Jag sees that we all do this and takes his opportunity...do you all see where this is going? Without giving approaching left turn lane traffic the slightest thought, he just goes. But WE can see the headlights of the minivan coming from behind us and into the left turn lane...kind of fast. Yep...T-bone. Thankfully the Jag pulled all the way into the left turn lane so the straight lane wouldn't be blocked. Oooooh you should have seen the diva get out of her minivan...she had the head spin, the 'hallelujah' finger shake and everything...I was pretty sure she could hold her own. I could just hear her "Oh, HELL no!" with that ghetto accent. (no insulting intended, I LOVE it!)

Anyway...we left them to sort it out...I can only imagine how big of a back up that created!


Ok, and one last thing...I also found this pic looking for the break room pic in the other post...and I HAD to save it. This comes close to what my boss's desk looks like. The piles may be just a couple inches too high...but I'm not kidding. And you know how much of an organizational freak I am! Question...what kind of example does this set? Mmmm hmmm.

Break Room Etiquette...

Lesson #2!!! It's been a little while since I've had a little rant (that I've decided to dub 'Lessons'). But here we go...

(And no that picture is not our break room...I wish...just one Google provided me with)

#1 - Label your food in the fridge & freezer, and a date marked wouldn't be a bad idea. This is less about other people stealing it and more about a reminder to YOU that it's YOURS and you might have forgotten about it. (Keep in mind that at least HERE we have a little sign on the fridge ordering you to label your food with the Sharpie that is sitting ON TOP of the fridge...we made it easy folks!)

#2 - If your forgotten and non-labelled food has been in there for over a week...if it's in the fridge...it's now in the trash...if it's in the freezer...it's fair game if I forgot my lunch today. Don't cry about it when it ends up missing.

#3 - the fridge clean out. If it's past the expiration date...it's garbage...DUH! I'm sorry you didn't use your Green Goddess salad dressing or Hershey's chocolate syrup (why is that in a work fridge? do I want to know?) enough and now it's gone. Maybe it actually walked out on it's own.

#4 - Don't burn the popcorn, our windows don't open

#5 - We have a trash can with a lid...please try to throw away the Banquet Tuna Casserole box that you just heated up in THAT one...you have every right to eat whatever you want for lunch, but it would be nice if we didn't have to smell it for the rest of the day.

#6 - Clean up after yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, what are we 6 years old? No one here is your mother and shouldn't have to wipe the coffee grounds off the counter, clean your oatmeal mug (after it's crusted over for 3 days), clean up your microwave overflow, or anything else you did!

I think this covers it. I feel like there should be a 7th. Just cuz the number 7 is cooler than the number 6. Anyone else got one...or several?! Ooooh, this could be fun!

Ok...here's something else I notice when it comes to office food that I find kind of funny...it's when someone brings in something to share. Whether it be sales reps smooching with goodies, someone made too much banana bread, or someone got too big of a birthday cake for their 3 year old...there's always food around. Have you noticed the 'last piece syndrome'? I call it this because it seems like whatever it is that is sitting there up for grabs will go really fast...until that LAST piece. No one wants to take it. Why is this? I often ask myself...as I take it. I do not have this syndrome. I have no qualms. Why is it that people hesitate to be the person to finish it off? I don't really understand. Maybe it's because I have a sort of 'thing' that I like to finish things...like them to be DONE that it's usually me that takes that last piece of banana bread, or donut (donuts are off limits unless it's Friday!!!), or cookie, or WHATEVER.

Observe next time this happens in your office...it's a phenomenon.

People don't like to take the 'last' SO much that they'll often cut it in half so there's still some left! Today it was...a QUARTER of a cinnamon roll. Ok, seriously? I took it just to get the giant box off the table. Mmmmm, I'm eating it now...it's pretty good. Why wouldn't you want a whole one? Suckers.

A Blog of Note...

This was a 'Blog of Note' not too long ago. Yes, again I'm going to point you in the direction of other blogs. But this is worth it.
http://redactedblog.blogspot.com/
This guy is really funny...Brent, he reminds me of you. I laughed the entire read with hilarious pictures of cockroaches in overalls and business suits in my head.

I'm jealous...

Ok, I have to admit that I'm way jealous of Pete's assigned scavenger hunt! Check his blog...link to the right...

He's on a long business trip and a friend of his gave him a scavenger hunt of places to see/visit/do/take pictures of and I think it is the BEST idea EVER! First...it gives him something to do on such a long trip by himself, but also he doesn't have to FIGURE OUT what to do...it's all on a list for him! I don't know why I'm getting such a kick out of it, but it really is great...to me. Maybe I'm just jealous that he gets to go (has already gone) to Salem!

That's a really thought out and fun scavenger hunt Brittany! And it's just not the same if you make your own hunt...I'll have to keep that in mind for others.

AWESOME! I can't express how completely jealous I am!!!

Secrets...

I found this blog yesterday...I THINK it was a 'Blog of Note' by Blogger. A guy started a 'project'...he asked people to send in homemade postcards with a real secret that they've been harboring anonymously. Doesn't sound like much, but start reading some of them and you'll be addicted. It's amazing some of the things that people do and/or live with. Some are sad, some are inspiring. There's a book too. I'm not sure if I'll buy it...I think it would be one of those books you buy, read once, then it collects dust OR you pass along and it just keeps getting passed...that's actually an idea.

Anyway...enjoy reading some people's secrets...

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Wine Review Blog is Updated!

Just wanted to let you know that I've put a new (and lengthly) post on the Lastinger Wine Review Blog. And we've included some cheeses that we got too! Check the blog list to the right to find the link!

I've been bad about posting updates there...it's not like we don't have enough wine to do it!

Nostalgia - Purduettes - Where or When

Ok, this is from last month...but that's JAE directing. I was a Purduette from fall 1996 to spring 2003 and Jae was the director for my first three years. It's not fair! She's back accompanying, I miss her! Purduettes was really a great group to be a part of and no better time I think than when it was under Jae or Ly. Seeing this made me want to go visit!

Nina Simone: Sinnerman

100th Post!!!

This marks my 100th post! AND one more visitor to my site will mark 500!!!


Holy cow folks! THANKS!

I feel pressure now to make this one special...I'm not real sure how.

I CAN say that since my blog a couple days ago where I expressed general dissatisfaction with work...I have felt better just getting it off my chest. I'm not going anywhere, I like my job, like the people. I'm happy about many aspects of my job, enough to at least hold me over for quite some time. I know that most of the time, the grass is indeed NOT greener and I'm not willing to take that risk. I will be exploring other avenues...hobby based...for fulfillment. Right now that avenue is photography. Shawna has been an inspiration and I really want to see if it keeps my interest like I think it will. I'm not saying that I'm going to turn pro like she did...but it may be something that I really enjoy doing, and that's enough. Now I need to save my pennies for a spiffy camera!
So, in short, I'm more at peace...at least today ;)...AND I think Lucy's coming home...for good!
So needless to say about that...we are all ECSTATIC! This is if she gets the job that she is "the top candidate" for. They want to meet her to make sure all the personalities mesh. But I don't know a single person that hasn't loved Lucy as soon as they met her. I have complete confidence that she'll get the offer.
I was slow to say anything about any of this "mess". I had a fear that he read my blog. But then...how would he know about it. (Lucy...if he does read it, tell me and I'll take this off my post ASAP!!)
At any rate, enough people that know Luc read my blog and ask about her, so I'll spread the news. We think this is it! But go ahead and cross your fingers next weekend just in case!

Let me now change the subject to music...
I have been listening to a song while working out that really keeps me going. It's a little strange I guess. But I challenge you to try it...Brent you're really the only one I KNOW runs or does whatever with their music. Thomas Crown Affair...the last museum sequence with all the men in bowler hats...it's that song. It's Sinnerman by Nina Simone. I'll work on posting it.
It's one of those things that I wonder if it does the same for other people as it does for me. Ok, I found it on YouTube...you can also go to YouTube and watch the Thomas Crown movie sequence...type in "Thomas Crown Affair returning the painting". And it's a 10 minute long song...keeps you going for a long time!

Cat 'presents' & TV shows...

So Monday we went to the vet to pick up more pills for our broken cat to find that the price of his meds nearly doubled. yay. But on the counter they had little packets of cat treats for samples..."Temptations"...ok, a freebie, that's good right?

Well yesterday I fed them to Sable & Zeus before we went to the gym. We came home to little 'presents' all over the house. They had puked up everything they ate, and surely plus some. Not exaggerating numbers here...we cleaned up 21 separate instances of chunky vomit, liquid vomit, or foamy stuff in the utility room, dining room, living room, nook, kitchen, bedroom, and our bathroom. We should buy stock in Resolve.

But what can you do? You can't be mad. Like they could help it. Although I do wish more of it had been on the vinyl floor.

And then I had a laugh when in the middle of the night we wake to hear a funny paper rustling sound. We couldn't quite place it. It sounded like the cats playing with something but not the usual toys. Although Zeus does enjoy the simple crumpled up paper ball. Rob sits up trying to place the sound but it's quiet. Then Zeus jumps on the bed and we hear the paper sound again. I sit up to look at him, I thought he brough up a toy with him...but then he sat down, looked at me, and raised his paw...something was stuck to it. It was a wine label that I had taken off of a bottle and was still sticky, it was on a ledge sticky side up. When I sat up to see what it was he just sat down and raised his paw up with a look on his face like "help me"...it was too darn cute. And to be even more cute, when I took it off for him, he rubbed his face on my hand like a thank you.

Ok...next topic...

TV

Some new shows we're enjoying this season:

The Big Bang Theory - geeky, very funny - I wonder if it's as funny to the nerd stereotypes they portray? It might even be "too smart" for some people. It stars 'David' from 'Roseanne'...remember him? And my favorite character, Sheldon, is the tall lanky witty guy, he has the best lines.

Reaper - It's on CW4 (previously WB)...so the quality is not 100%, but Rob and I haven't laughed so hard at a premiere episode in a long time. The friend character is so like Brent, so hilarious! The special effects are not so much movie quality...or even CSI quality...but look what network it's on. The comedy makes up for it. Imagine a comedy about a guy whose soul is owned by the devil. Who knew?

Kid Nation - Ok, I hate reality shows, but I was intrigued by the town run by kids. Reality TV has become about becoming a star, winning the game, and back stabbing...that's why I don't watch them...the closest I come is America's Next Top Model (which I will deny watching!) and shows like Project Runway or Hell's Kitchen...for those you have to have a little talent and can't win by completely lying or being another person. Anyway...kids though...they don't have ulterior motives and if there's any drama happening, it really is REAL, what kids go through anyway. So I started watching and I think I'm hooked. Some of the kids are so darn cute (Mallory from Indiana) and others need an ass whoopin' or reality check (Taylor from Georgia).

I can't think of anymore new shows we watch, but here's a list of the oldies but goodies we're addicted to...

LOST, Heroes, Psych, Eureka, Ghost Hunters, CSI, CSI New York (Miami bites), The Office, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother...and PLEASE bring back Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip! We really liked that show.

Opinions? Ideas?

Ok, I don't know why I'm so obsessed with this today...but the thought that I need a change keeps popping in my head. What kind of change? I don't know EXACTLY. I'm leaning toward the 'career' arena. I'm very happy at home, my husband is wonderful, the house is...getting there, family & friends are fabulous...there's only one area that is lack-luster...and that would be the job.

Don't get me wrong. I like where I work, I like the people there, and I like what I do.

But I'm not jumping for joy, I don't say "I can't wait to get to work!", and I just generally feel like something is missing. However, my fear is that the grass will not be greener if I just go somewhere else...and I don't really want to do that either.

Maybe it's a passing fancy. "This too shall pass"
VERY possible. I go in spurts...I'm content, I'm not, satisfied, not...and so on.

But I felt like I had to get it off my chest and that's what some blogs are for. I'm jealous of the people that have found 'their calling' or people who have made their hobbies profitable or even a career.

I'm sure I'll snap out of whatever it is...or at least just deal with it...haven't I been?
Thanks for listening.

However, I'd be interested to see if anyone has any thoughts on what you think I'd be good at doing...aside from my current job. But who's going to say "you'd be great at specifying cubicles!"? (I am...but that's beside the point)

Seriously...any thoughts? I toy with some...and maybe I'll share them later. I don't want to skew your thinking.

It's Tizzy Tuesday!!!

Apparently no one is having a good day at work today. And it's only 9:45.
Our team is getting hit by a particular inconsistent salesman about specs, Etter isn't having a fun time today and her supervisor is being lame today, Rob is just having a GREAT time at work...good times people.

I think we all need drinks after work!

I don't have too much to complain about. Just busy.

I just found out about the iPod Touch...very snazzy. And what's up with the redesigned iPod Nano? AFTER I get one of course.


Rob & I haven't been back to Elkhart in I don't know how long! We're trying to figure it out & trying to time it with when our wedding albums will be done & also I think his mom was going to come down some weekend. When we figure it out, E-towners, we'll let you know.

One last thing...where the heck is autumn? This is Indiana...yesterday's high was 91, today's is 78. Better...but this is fall! But I guess I shouldn't complain...Thursday's high I see is 62 and soon I will be complaining about snow and how cold it is. But I fear that the wacky weather will make our leaves go straight from green to brown and drop. I want pretty.

Awake? on Monday...

Yea, I'm pretty tired today. I didn't get to bed until 11:30 and laid there for a bit...so we'll say midnight I finally got to sleep. Now some people function just fine and dandy on 6 hours of sleep...I do not. My prime, unfortunately, is 9 hours but 8 hours is still good. My goal is 8 hours a night. 5 or less...I might as well not go to sleep. I do better slap-happy than THAT tired.

Good thing...today we go to the chiropractor!! And I need it...I have a slight headache today (shocker!) that I've had since taking a nap yesterday...I think I slept funny...my neck hurts.

Other than all that, I feel pretty good today. I've gotten 3 different projects out the door already and almost have the 4th! Ooooh that is good for a Monday.

Rant alert: ALL RIGHT...damn it! If you work in an open office environment turn your cell phone on vibrate or at least LOW VOLUME!!!! I don't care what ringer you have and you don't care that mine is "who can it be now". Ok, seriously...it's going off again, same one! It's frigging annoying!!! AND LOUD! If it goes off again, I'm going to steal it and hide it. The store room in the work room sounds good. Or inside the refrigerator of the break room. yea.

Ok, sorry. Can't help it. Gotta get it off my chest and that really did just happen as I was writing. Maybe I should start "lessons". YEA, we'll make that "Lesson #1"...I'm sure I can backtrack to others...but I don't want to. :)

It was Jason's phone! Ooooh, now I wish I could have stolen it.

Jason is the only guy that works here that has the title 'designer'. He's metro. I like him, he's cool. But I also like to mess with his head a little...razz him a bit. We're both only children and somehow kind of adopted each other as pseudo-siblings. He used to be on our team, but then got moved to a separate team so he no longer sits right by me. BOO! OH I found the picture of what I did to his station when he went to New Orleans...he found out that 'gay mardi gras' was going on while he was there. Yes, I even changed his computer desktop. It was fabulous.

So that right there is basically the cube I sit in, minus all the rainbow stuff, plus a 6" neon flamingo, plus a 3' x3' carpet tile I designed, minus the giant monitor, plus a flat panel monitor on an arm, minus the Aeron chair, plus a different chair that I adopted, plus all kinds of toys and gadgets that we get from reps.

If you were standing taking this photo, if you turn to the left, that's where I sit. Awwww...

ok, it's go time...later!

Can't Sleep...

I just got out of bed...I got bored laying there trying to fall asleep. My mind just kept going and going...not that unusual, usually it slows and eventually I drift off. But not tonight. I'm hoping that it's because I got a nap in this afternoon combined with the fact that we ate kind of late. I used to have a continual problem getting to sleep...we're talking laying there for an hour or two before finally getting the z's. This would happen about 6 out of 7 nights. AND I'm a light sleeper anyway. AND I have diagnosed myself with SAD...seasonal affective disorder...that's when the shorter days in winter really screw with your system. Don't get me wrong, I've heard of cases where people have to have a light turned on early or whatever to even function...I just get VERY tired, almost like my mind and body want to hibernate. YAY, that's starting too. I try to counter it by taking supplements that are supposed to increase energy. I think it helped a little last year.

Anyway, I'm just sitting here in the dark den, desk totally cluttered, tired...but not tired, listening to Imagine Avenue Radio, and browsing a few other sites.

Haha, Sable just joined me. She freaked me out by slinking in silently then making some noise under the desk. Now's she's just chillin' on the armchair that's in here. Like she just wanted to keep me company. :)

Ick, I'm looking around this room & can hardly stand it! The desk is a disaster, we've piled and piled and now it's just an overflowing mess. But I can't worry about it now or I won't go to bed until 3am!

Oh, Sable just decided that my lap would be a better place to lay. Pets can be so sweet sometimes. Maybe she's making up for being a beyotch today...she's been getting into the habit of eating all of her food in about 30 seconds then moving on Zeus's bowl. So we now have to watch them eat and when Zeus walks away (he grasps the concept of saving some for later) we move his bowl to the counter. Obviously easier done on the weekends, we can't really do that during the day when we're gone. I'm not sure what we're going to do, not give either one as much I suppose.

Wow...I have rambled quite a bit. Sorry...I'm going to blame it on 'insomnia'...I AM tired...I just know I'm not 'sleep tired' yet.

Ok, my lap is apparently not comfy anymore. BYE Sable! Fickle.

All right, I don't have any wisdom to impart, funny quips, or ANYTHING really to say at the moment so I will sign off.

Good night - I hope

Nothing much...

Ooooh look at all the yellow dots on the map! That's SO cool!

Thanks for reading everybody!

Ok, I was going to blog about how crappy I fell today and I'm so tired (the cold has taken hold) blah blah blah...(although I suppose I just DID blog about it...)

Anyway...but then I read Pete's blog today and it made me happy! Warm fuzzies all around!

Yea, so I DO feel the gym today...I must have worked the lats more than I realized. WHEW! And last night I did several different types of ab workouts so I fully expect to hurt when I laugh or cough tomorrow. Tonight...no gym...it will be pizza or "El Camino" and an early bedtime. Tomorrow I'm working for Shawna again, although...Shawna if you're reading this...I can't promise I'll make it the whole alloted time! Only judging by today...but I'll give it a shot!!!

ok, jeez...I've had this open for a while...I started this early this morning and now it's after lunch. Longhorn Steakhouse filled me up...I was relatively good...I had a salad w/ fat free ranch dressing but then made up for it with a loaded baked potato. Probably not all that terrible...I could have had a ginormous burger & fries! Diet Coke...Mmmmmm

I don't have anything earth-shattering today, do I ever? :)

Eyes, teeth, & FooGoo...

The new contacts...I went ahead and put them in there so I could see how they were the rest of the day. The prescription is different enough that I CAN TELL it's different. Driving around and looking long distances fine...it wasn't until I sat down at my computer and looked at something relatively close that I'm not sure if they're right yet...but I should probably give them more than 15 minutes to make a decision.

A new pet-peeve...well, not so much new as discovered. If you wear dentures...I don't need to know. And please, for your sake and mine...get some that FIT. I don't need to see you play with them after every sentence you speak...it's kind of gross.

So...the gym last night...

I set the elliptical for 30 minutes, listened to a little Foo, a little Goo, and "you spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round round round..." on the ipod. But then I got bored of doing what I was doing, so I hopped off at 20 minutes and did a circuit. Some quads, hams, delts, bis, tris, lats, pecs, abs...I did pretty good. Although I don't think I'm sore enough. Not that you need to leave the gym sore to know you did a good workout, but you should feel something...we'll see how it is tonight and tomorrow...it's always that SECOND day.

I also made some killer turkey meatloaf last night! Yes, that's right! Ground turkey! And it was VERY good. I know you don't believe me. That's fine, ask Rob, it ruled! And is AT LEAST HALF the fat of using regular ground beef.

One more day 'til Friday!

Thank you coworkers...I have a cold. It's not super bad right now...mostly just sniffles and that dry tickle in your throat that makes you cough when you're trying to sleep at night.
I'm fighting it though!
Update on headaches...well, I may know the (or a) source of my headaches of late...I had my yearly vision check the other day and my left prescription is now WAY off. I'm picking up my trial pair of my new contacts in a few minutes. I may get a headache now from just getting used to the new clear vision!
Actually...time to run for lunch...Subway and Ossip Optometry here I come!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today is my mom's birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

And happy birthday to my mom's twin, my Aunt Sara too!!!

A little work, a little hobby...

I know in comparison I was short on the posts yesterday. But I usually write posts at work (at work, no, surely not!), I try to do it during lunch or just little breaks...and yesterday I was out at a client site pretty much all day. Saint-Gobain Containers in Muncie, IN...look them up for all of your glass bottle needs. :) Actually it's pretty cool...they design & produce a lot of liquor or wine bottles that you have ever set your eyes on...Jim Beam, Arbor Mist, Amber Bock, Michelob, Izze soda...they even do jars...Ragu, olives, pickles...all kinds. Makes sense...they are the grandchild company of Ball-Foster...yes...Ball jars...yes Ball State University. ANYWAY...they're one of my favorite clients and I had to go make sure all three floors worth of their system furniture was how our drawings say they are (as-builts). And I'm excited for the next project. The bottle design area needs re-vamped and they told me to design without a budget first. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! Realistically do I think they'll do whatever I design? No. But it's still fun and I get paid for the time anyway. The best part will be a new display area for all of their finished product...all of the liquor/alcohol/food stuffs...and yes all of these items are FULL of the product. The first time I went out there I thought...who are these alcoholics with all this stuff EVERYWHERE? I mean...literally there was alcohol on people's desks all over the place! But seeing a display packed with all of their work really is impressive and I want to give them something cool for that area so that maybe they'll ask me to re-do the lobby!

Anyway...not that you care about all that. But I do so get over it. :)

I'm getting the crafty itch. I want to do something. I need to finish the headboard for our room but I need to figure out how it will attach to the bedframe...wait...I feel like I've talked about this before. Oh well...it's obviously still not done.

I'm also thinking about starting another quilt. Possibly using regular craft store fabric rather than designer scraps...but they're so fun!

I also want to make a patchwork tree skirt for the Christmas tree, and maybe a table runner.

Ok...the ideas and things I want to do are just flowing...one thing at a time!

Hey Craig? How's our entertainment center coming? :) Ready for another payment? "YES!"

The Brick Wall...

I heard something today exploring the World Wide Web...

A lecturer that was diagnosed with cancer and dying became a motivational speaker of sorts...

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out, the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people."

I thought this was a really great quote and very inspirational. (by Randy Pausch - Carnegie-Mellon professor)

Let's all bust through our brick walls.

Hello Ashfield, UK!!!

Everyone's welcome here!

This NeoEarth thing is so cool! I'm surprised by the hits I get. I know that some are browsing around and may not spend much time on my site, but I'm still amazed.

And hello...

Bellevue, WA (I love Seattle!)

Monclova, Mexico (Hola!)

Tabriz, Iran ??? wow

Milan, Italy

Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Great Falls, and many others!

Question, how did you guys find me? I'm just so curious!

It's so great! I LOVE IT!

And Brent would love the international hits...he's jealous...pay him a visit...link to the right.

Thanks for reading!

More Monday Stuff...

Whilst (Brent) I sit here eating my sushi (California Rolls - thanks honey for picking me up lunch AND delivering! What service!) I thought I might share a few more things.

First, sushi makers are cheating by making California Rolls with imitation crab meat. But I am in central Indiana and shouldn't complain...I'm probably lucky that the supermarket across the street even has a sushi dude. And yes, I am using the chopsticks that Rob brought me, how fun!

I absolutely LOVE seafood and central Indiana is VERY landlocked...Lake Michigan doesn't count. If we're talking seafood...you shouldn't eat anything out of Lake Michigan and the 'coast' is so very small in comparison that it's not worth talking about. But this is why I get so excited when I go to any coast...I always get the seafood! (Thank you again to Pete for eating a lobster for me while in Maine...I lived vicariously through him at that moment!) But I also rave when I find a place nearby that I can trust to have good and fresh seafood. In Indy, my pick is The Oceanaire Seafood Room. They're a chain look for the one nearest you (ooh, Pete there's one in Orlando!). But they fly in fresh seafood DAILY. They have everything that swims, crawls, or is stationary in the sea. We ate there for our engagement/my birthday dinner over a year ago and haven't been back yet!! It was THE most amazing food I have ever had...save the honeymoon dinner of 7 courses each paired with a different wine. (Cyrus...if you can...GO!) Anyway, the oysters (and I've only ever had them twice) were really great. They had so many different kinds, I had no idea so I said 4 different ones...surprise me. One of them was bigger than a deck of cards...huge! I think I had to cut that one in half to do it...I was afraid it would be too much. The crab cakes were amazing...so much crab, very little room for filler. The lobster (creole style) was awesome, as was the side dish of mashed potatoes...I know they're ONLY mashed potatoes...but they were something else! And Rob got the crab legs...they were the sweetest most delectable crab legs EVER!

I want to go back soon! Wait, Rob you still owe me birthday dinner! Only two months late.

Ok, I'm not sure why I got on a seafood tangent, perhaps it's that I feel cheated by imitation crab meat...even though I'm not really enjoying it any less.

Anyway...here's a few pics from the Ogle-Herrington after party:

Here you have from left to right...the infamous Etter, Melicious (aka Missa), the fabulous Lucy, and the HI-larious Angie Day looking at Etter like she's from another planet. And here we have Mary & Brian Day with Lucy. Mary looked fabulous and was a super trooper...3 weeks away from giving birth and she stayed as late as we did!

And below is Brian & Lucy cutting a rug...this is post Brian jumping so high he touched the ceiling...his jumping on the dance floor is infamous.

I only had a couple of pictures with the bride in them but one was kind of fuzzy and the other one her eyes are in mid-blink, I didn't want to post not-so-great pics of the bride!!!

Somebody's got a case of the MONDAYS...

That would be me.

Monday's bite.

Anyway...Maggie's wedding went GREAT! She was beautiful as always but I suck because I didn't have my camera with me at any point that she had her dress on! But I'll post some pictures taken at the after party a little later.

It was SO great to spend time with Lucy! (More on this later)

The bride's brunch went splendidly...everything I made came out great...the Muesli was not a hit but is probably not so much a Midwestern hit anyway. It was way better when I added a little sugar and more cinnamon! The breakfast casserole was fabulous if I must say so myself and super easy...as well as the cheesy potatoes and the raspberry muffins. Mmmmm, my mouth is watering...it was better than my breakfast this morning...yogurt, Cheerios, and an overripe banana. Mmmm Squishy!

As you can see...it's Monday and the blog is random.

It appears that my free trial of the cool NeoEarth map expired. If I want to keep my cool one that I had, and I do, I have to pay about $12 for the year. I think I can swing that...a buck a month! Sitemeter has a map like that but you have to click on it then click on something else to get to it. This one is just plain cool!

Yesterday I was lazy ALL DAY. We didn't get home until just before midnight Saturday night, then we stayed up with Lucy and showed her honeymoon pix and went through everything we did...she's revved up to go with us on the next trip! Then we watched Jeff Dunham's Comedy Central show cuz we had been quoting it all day...I guess a bunch of people had watched it the night before wherever they were. "Silence! I kill you!" Sort of a strange thing to be saying on a wedding day but we were all laughing.

Ok...all for now...if you're lucky I'll post later. ;)

I leave you with what the cats were up too...

Zeus appreciates clean laundry too...

Typical Sable...lazy princess...