One of those days

Blinkie by: Pinky Blinkies

Today was just "one of those days," you know? I was up late last night working to get a critical project finished (I wasn't behind; I was brought in late in the game). Which of course lead me to oversleep this morning. So to earn myself some good karma, I decided to let in a truck pulling a trailer who had pulled into the center turn lane. Turns out, he needed to be three more lanes over! Well, if I'd known that, you could have waited! Sheesh. I had to sit there behind him for *two* rounds of the light, with everyone behind me honking (and what precisely would you like me to do about it?!), which is only making me more late. For some reason, DS decided to fuss today about going to daycare; didn't want to get out of the car when we got there, but he was fine once we were in the building (weird child).

Finally get home and the garage won't close. It gets almost all the way down and then goes back up, like it senses something in the way. So I spend 10 minutes outside (driving my neighbors bonkers, I'm sure) watching the garage door go up and down, trying to diagnose the problem. You know the wheels that sit in the track? They are held on by these metal brackets, and one of them has fractured. That is causing the wheel to come out of alignment and tug on the door as it tries to go around the curve. When the door feels the resistance, it goes back up. I have no idea if that is a part that can be replaced (because you know how handy DH and I are (not!)), or if we now need an entirely new door!

Finally make it in the house and turn on my computer, only to discover that a meeting has been scheduled for 9:30 (hey, better than 8:30, or I would have been quite late, seeing as it was now about 9 AM) to discuss the work I had done the previous night, and all I can think is that there must be some major flaws to warrant such a sudden meeting. Did I mention I have PMS, which is making me even more tired and cranky than the lack of sleep can account for? Turns out the meeting was just to review my work and to praise me in front of my boss, which was nice, but the meeting also lead to them asking me if I could do a slightly different version of the same report to facilitate some other project. Sure, I can, but this one took hours to do, and the revamped one will take 4-6 hours by my estimation, and they want it by COB today. That shoots the nap I was planning to take at lunch (hey, I was working last night when I should have been sleeping; I think a little sleep instead of work today is justified). They also ask me to attend another data meeting at 11, further cutting into my time to work on said data today. 11 AM meeting goes fine, except that I keep dozing off. Turns out there wasn't anything I could do, but that was an hour I could have been working.

And since I literally cannot keep my eyes open, I decide take a 20 minute nap for lunch instead of eating. And what happens in those 20 minutes? DH calls to see if I was going to take a nap or if he could go play ball (um, I'm *trying* to nap!), and then the speech therapy lady finally decides to call me back after a week. I can't remember if I've talked about this here, but no one takes our insurance for speech therapy. Apparently, our HMO does not have many they do cover, mostly either the place that doesn't want to treat him if he has any fluid in his ears, or a place that is 25 miles away. I was at least considering the 25-mile away place, until she called today. This is going to sound like a bad joke, but I swear to you, it is true. She has a studder. A bad one. Maybe this makes me a horrible person, but I just cannot send my child to speech therapy with someone who studders! Maybe she is wonderful at her job and I'm missing out, but there just seems to be something *so* wrong with that. Combined with the fact that it is so freakin' far away, and the fact that she only has appointments at 10:30 AM on Tuesdays or Thursdays, which would essentially cost me a 1/2 day of work every week plus interfere with Luke's naps (and if you've ever seen him nap-less, you know why that is *bad*), I just could not say yes. So I guess it is back to Children's Healthcare. Joy.

I finally get the work done right at 4 PM, just in time to go pick up Luke, since DH is playing basketball. Get to daycare and discover a nice purple goose egg on Luke's forehead that no one seems to know anything about. Several separate sources verify that it was not there at 3:30 when they went outside (it is now close to 5), so it must have happened on the playground, but he didn't ever cry (which I really do believe), so no one knew anything about it. Guess that shoots the idea of me getting photos made next week. I am just not up to cooking tonight, so we go to Wendy's, where a group of 8 very hungry men are ahead of us in line and take *forever* to order. We waited 20 minutes in line just to order. While Luke thankfully wasn't fussing, he also didn't want to stand in line, so I was trying to let him wander without him getting into trouble, which was quite an interesting feat, but we managed. He even more or less stayed in his chair (he's decided he doesn't need a high chair at fast food type restaurants now). Get home, and he's upset that DH isn't here, so nothing else will make him happy and he fusses on and off until DH arrives.

Get Luke put to bed, and then go outside to check on the garage door. Our first idea, just removing the wheel/bracket is a disaster. Neither of us noticed that it was supporting the door, so that side buckled as it tried to go down and nearly jammed. Thankfully DH caught it in time. He pushed on that panel while I pushed the button to get it to go back up. Guess it's time to head to Home Depot to see if they sell a replacement part. We were smart enough to check the other brackets, and the one on the exact opposite side from this one is showing the same fatigue. The others seem fine, so I don't know what it is about the next to the top one that is getting all the stress, but it is happening on both sides. (Sometime in here, we notice that the door to the house is open, and we freak out thinking one of the cats got out. Took us a few minutes to find her, but we did.) So that's where we stand. DH is on his way to Home Depot to see if we can find someone who knows what they are doing and can explain it to someone who can barely change a lightbulb (and I say that with all love and affection, because I am exactly the same way). Anyone want to take bets as to whether or not we need a new garage door? Sheesh!

Tomorrow is Friday. DH is home, which means if I am really tired....

LIVE UPDATE!

DH just walked in the door, returning from his trek to Home Depot. They don't sell our brand of garage door opener, but the lady in the garage section had a bucket of spare parts that she flipped through first. Found two new wheel mounts that are the same size and configuration as ours, and she gave them to him for free since they were spare (i.e. not really for sale). Told him to take them home and try them, and if they didn't work, to come back, ask for her, and she'd work on finding some in the parts department that would work. Maybe I did earn a bit of karma today after all. We'll find out shortly. DH is attempting to install them right now.

Anyway, as I was saying, DH is working from home tomorrow, which means if I really need him to, he can take Luke to daycare in the morning and let me sleep. We'll see how I'm feeling. I still have a couple of spare hours to burn, so I see a long lunch somewhere yummy in our future tomorrow. Let's hope it goes better overall.

Sounds like it just might. The garage door is closed! YAY!

Currently feeling: need a break

All I hear is blah, blah, blah

Okay, look folks. I watched this year's Super Bowl for two reasons. #1: The commercials, which were not worth the time. #2: Because the first part of a 2-part episode of Criminal Minds is showing immediately afterward. But only if the CBS people will ever SHUT UP!! Okay, the game ended right at 10, and we had to present the trophy. Fine, I get it. That was 10 minutes ago, and they're still yapping. The game is over, the trophy is gone. Let it go!! And get to the good stuff already.

Currently feeling: irked

January 2007 Round Up

Blinkie by: Pinky Blinkies

Let's see if I can actually start a monthly feature here on the blog. And even though the inspiration comes from a scrapping blog, it is not directed at scrapping in particular. The questions are fairly generic and apply to most everyone, so feel free to play along.

Katie the Scrapbook Lady does a monthly round-up on her blog, and I think it is really neat, so I've decided to try and do it as well. Though this first month tells me I need to take notes! LOL So I may not be able to answer these questions really well this month, but I'll do my best.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Not much. I'm almost done with Inkheart, and I can't remember if I finished the last Black Jewels book in December or January. I don't get any magazines anymore, since I don't really have time to read them. I am considering subscribing to one, though. And I do get the Kraft recipe magazine, but I think it is quarterly.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?

TV: High Stakes Poker has started up again with its new season. Yay!! Other than that, just the usual on TV: House, L&O: Criminal Intent, Mythbusters, Criminal Minds, CSI:NY, CSI, Shark, ER, and Numbers. I have somehow become hooked on watching Murder She Wrote at lunchtime, and I think The Closer will be starting back up again soon as well.

Movies: I'm pretty sure the only thing we saw in the theater was The Pursuit of Happyness, which I did review for my Movie Musings readers, but I have not yet put up on the web. I don't recall seeing anything new at home.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
None, really. We did stay up until about 12:05 AM at New Years. My family was still here from Christmas, so that was nice. And we sent my MIL a family portrait and some cards for her birthday. Nothing else really comes to mind.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I made a layout for my brother of his new puppy. Not sure if that counts. And I received a lovely skein of Waterlilies silk (Arabian Nights, which is just beautiful) from Charisse.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
By the new year, I was finally over my bronchitis, but Luke came down with a double ear infection. And I came down with his latest cold, which as of yesterday (this should really go in February's list) is officially something worse. I have some OTC measures to try, but if I'm not better by Sunday, I already have a prescription for antibiotics, just in case.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Nothing. Are we sad or what? My family was here through Jan 1, which is always fun. We went to the local park (see pictures), but nothing particularly special about that.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Artuzzis! I think that was a January find. It is a new Italian chain restaurant, sort-of like Pei Wei's or Mama Fu's. Better than fast food, but not a real "sit down" type place. Nice varied menu, excellent Alfredo, and fabulous garlic breadsticks. Also closer and cheaper than Olive Garden. Not quite as good, but definitely more convenient. I really should have tried a new recipes, but I didn't. I did pick out a few to try in February, though.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Braves Spring Training tickets!! I have those all ready to go for our March trip. Should be great fun. Technically, it won't be Luke's first baseball game, but he was only 5 months old last time, so that doesn't really count. Also picked up some PhotoBlast actions to try and help with some of my pictures. I'm disappointed in two of them (I can actually do better by myself, generally speaking), but the other two are amazing and invaluable.

What were this month's disappointments?
My weight. I have finally gotten fed up, and I am starting to do something about it. Also, the fact that Luke is getting further and further behind in his speech, though he seems to be trying more this last week or so. I think we just about have him squared away to start speech therapy, though, so maybe that will improve.

What were my accomplishments this month?
I scrapped a ton! Something like 14 layouts, I think. Let me go count. Oh, I underestimated; it is actually 18. Now, 12 of those were for the same brag book challenge, but still. I can't really think of anything else. I haven't even taken down the Christmas decorations yet! (This weekend, I promise.)

Anything else noteworthy to record?
My 1999 Toyota Camry flipped 100,000 miles! Took 7 years and 3 months (and yes, for those doing the math, we bought it (actually, leased bought at end of lease) in November of 1998).
Currently feeling: sick (again)

A Mile-Stone

Or, a 100,000-Mile-Stone:



Currently feeling: zoom zoom

I want *that* hair color!

Please note, I am in no way poking fun at people with eating disorders. I just find the following statement totally baffling (referring to Ashley Olson's supposed anorexia relapse):

Another source close to Olsen blames her new hair color for the drastic change in appearance, adding, "The blonde hair she has now makes her look skinny."

Okie-dokie. If I thought blonde hair could make *me* look skinny, I'd dye it right this second!

Currently feeling: why do I keep reading this crap?!

A truly inspired thought

I found the following quote on Anita's blog today. (For those of you who are scrappers, she puts up a free SketchPlate template every Friday.) This quote is really making me look at things differently today. It reminds me of the statement "this too shall pass," but what makes this different is that it is not only emphasizing that the bad will pass but that the good is *always* there, whether you bother to see it or not.

Happiness is permanent. It is always there.
What comes and goes is unhappiness.
If you identify with what comes and goes, you will be unhappy.
If you identify with what is permanent and always there,
you are happiness itself.
Papaji, 1910-1997 ~ Indian Spiritual Teacher

Speaking of the bad passing, Luke is doing much better. Thank you to all who have asked about him and sent well wishes. He even took his medicine without more than a token fuss this morning. I can't say that he was opening his mouth like a bird, but I didn't have to force his jaws open either. It was a nice change this morning. Let's hope it lasts through Wednesday (his last day for meds).

Happy Friday everyone! Wishing you all a most excellent weekend.

Currently feeling: pretty peachy

Tech-No

I was reading this article the other day, and it really made me wonder, both in a good way and a bad way. I'm as guilty as the next person of expecting to always be constantly and instantly in touch with those I love. I have email and a blog, I have a cell phone with text messaging, and I couldn't live without my internet connection. I wonder how this world ever functioned without the web, particularly where driving directions are concerned.

But I also draw the line a whole lot sooner than a lot of other people. I do not, for instance, hand out my cell phone number to just anyone. If you do have my cell number, consider yourself among the special few. Spouse, parents, siblings, in-laws, close friends (10 or so), and daycare have that number. That's about it. And most of those people only call my cell when they really need me; otherwise they call the house if they need to speak with me. Other than my spouse (once or twice a day) or my brother (2-4 times a week), my cell almost never rings. And I like it that way! And for goodness sake, get those stupid ear phone things out of your ears, especially if you are not currently on a call. We are not the Borg! (Not yet. I'm starting to think they will start implanting them at birth in the next 10 years or so.)

If we are on vacation, I *might* take the laptop with me and check it once a day, in the evenings. That's it. That is part of the point of going on vacation, to get away from being connected to things other than my family. At Christmas, I went several days without even looking at the computer. There were more fun and important things to do (like learning to make risotto!). Don't get me wrong, I love email! I like the instant-ness of it (and the search feature! LOL). And I do start to worry if I go several days without receiving one, or if most people take longer than a day or two to respond to one I sent (there are a few exceptions to this). But I can also let it go for several days without feeling like I've amputated part of myself.

I love technology. It touches my life everyday, mostly for good, but occasionally for ill. I am on the laptop and/or desktop daily, and I couldn't do my job without a computer. I do carry my cell phone virtually everywhere everyday. But sometimes, you just have to shut it all down and remember how to interact with the real world.

Currently feeling: unplugged