Thursday, November 19, 2009

Use Your INSIDE Voice

One thing that I left out of my post yesterday (I know, you're wondering HOW could she have left anything out? -- it was a book) ... well I did, so now you have to hear it (well, read it).

I'm trying to chill out at Starbucks yesterday morning patiently waiting for my locksmith.  I'm looking through the paper (for ideas on who to attack, I mean, politely ask for silent auction items).  So, I'm noting my ideas and chugging my mocha ... when this shrill shriek comes from the corner.  What could it be?  We are not in the wilderness, so it can't be a hyena.  I turn to sneek a peak ... and found the source.  These two women were taking up the comfy chairs in the back.  Woman B, was the shrieker.  Everytime she spoke or laughed it was like nails down a chalkboard.  It was just horrendous.  She was so loud and obnoxious.  So, of course, I start plotting her immediate death in my head - and yes, it would start with the vocal chords.

Well, then Woman A got a word in, finally.  I almost fell off of my seat when she told Shrieker Chic - that her husband really liked them being friends.  That she (Woman A) had this other friend that really got on his nerves, but he could actually spend time around Woman B.  WHAT?!  Who could this other friend be?  Leonna Helmsly is dead and Kimora Lee Simmons doesn't live in the area.  Then it gets worse, Woman A states that the one thing her husband really enjoys about Woman B - is her, LAUGH.  WHAT?  I mean, I have spent 10 minutes listening to her and I think my ears are about to bleed.  The guy has to either be losing his hearing or is already deaf (or will soon be if he hangs around the shrieker much longer).  Surely she cannot be married.  Otherwise, she would not be out and about - as her husband would have her tied up at home with a roll of duct tape around her mouth.

So, you are probably thinking that I was ease dropping.  Oh no!  I could have put in the earplugs that plane mechanics wear and STILL could have heard their entire conversation.

Lesson:  when you are inside a public place (i.e. Starbucks); use your inside voice because no one else wants to hear your inane conversation or your shrieks and snorts everytime your companion says anything.  If you can't stay within these social boundaries - then stay the hell out of MY Starbucks!

A Group of Fine Women

I had quite the day yesterday (if you read my other blog - you know the story).  I was just feeling beat down by the time I got home and even more so by the time I dragged my body to bed after doing more computer work.

Well, up this morning.  Got to lay in bed and chat with my husband for about 10 minutes (this is always a treat for me).  Then I scored a free Starbucks Mocha (yay).  I then headed over to The Hope Center for a committee meeting.  Wow, what a dose of the Lord can do for your spirit and overall attitude!

By the time I left the meeting, I was actually on a total high.  I felt so good.  Almost invicible.  I totally believe that God places people exactly where they should be, at the time they should be there and with the people they should be with.  The group of women in this committee are just awesome.  So many times when people think of Christians (esp women) that are putting on an event -- they think they are "holier than though" "pious" or "judgemental and snooty."  If that is your feelings, I encourage you to step out and interact with a group of "church girls."

These women are just nice, normal women.  Women that make you think, wow - I'd like to be friends with her.  They are not perfect and they don't pretend to be.  They are just a group of women who have chosen to give of themselves and their time to focus on others.  To make spreading the WORD of GOD a priority.  It's just plain ... cool and I love it.

The prayer time this morning was wonderful and inspiring.  I do not have the spiritual gift of praying aloud; but thank God the other women do!

The one quandry ... the more time I spend serving and working with charities, the more pulled I feel in that direction ... yet, work must proceed (for now).

A Group of Fine Women

I had quite the day yesterday (if you read my other blog - you know the story).  I was just feeling beat down by the time I got home and even more so by the time I dragged my body to bed after doing more computer work.

Well, up this morning.  Got to lay in bed and chat with my husband for about 10 minutes (this is always a treat for me).  Then I scored a free Starbucks Mocha (yay).  I then headed over to The Hope Center for a committee meeting.  Wow, what a dose of the Lord can do for your spirit and overall attitude!

By the time I left the meeting, I was actually on a total high.  I felt so good.  Almost invicible.  I totally believe that God places people exactly where they should be, at the time they should be there and with the people they should be with.  The group of women in this committee are just awesome.  So many times when people think of Christians (esp women) that are putting on an event -- they think they are "holier than though" "pious" or "judgemental and snooty."  If that is your feelings, I encourage you to step out and interact with a group of "church girls."

These women are just nice, normal women.  Women that make you think, wow - I'd like to be friends with her.  They are not perfect and they don't pretend to be.  They are just a group of women who have chosen to give of themselves and their time to focus on others.  To make spreading the WORD of GOD a priority.  It's just plain ... cool and I love it.

The prayer time this morning was wonderful and inspiring.  I do not have the spiritual gift of praying aloud; but thank God the other women do!

The one quandry ... the more time I spend serving and working with charities, the more pulled I feel in that direction ... yet, work must proceed (for now).

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Oh What a Day ...

Do you ever have one of those days where you are just so ... AGH ... and tired that you just want to cry?  Welcome to my Wednesday.

I was up until about 1am this morning working on my donation request letters.  Then I was still wired so I decided to watch some telly - finally woke up on the couch around 3am and stumbled to bed.  Then the evil alarm buzzed at me at 7am.  UGH.  Made lunches, got ready, dropped Addison at school and headed to LakeSide.  The best part of my day ... my grande non-fat mocha latte no whip extra hot.  Yum.  Met with the locksmith - then off to the office.

During this time I discover that my #*!?*# phone is still "stuck" ... the middle button will not work.  This button is somewhat important since it controls my entire phone.  At this point I cannot access my text messages, email, calendar, most of my contacts and to make matters worse -- Facebook!  Oh, the agony.  While driving into the office on the Tollroad I seriously considered just throwing it out the window.  Humm, would that be considered littering?  My newest idea is to just take it over to Lori's house so she can run over it with her husband's truck (that seemed to work for her iPhone ealier this week).

At the office ... thank goodness Nancy is already preparing for our 11am meeting as I'm on the phone from the time I get there until I head into the meeting.

Back to my desk.  One thing after another, all while trying to work on my budget (which I promised a draft of to my boss by Friday ... humm).  More stuff, more stuff and more stuff.  I left so much stuff in my "out-box" when I ran out of the office that Nancy probably spent the remainder of the afternoon making a voodoo doll of me out of office supplies.

Off I drive to Eunice's to get my nails done.  While in the car, constant worry about work, all of my unfinished projects at home (that's a whole other blog), Addison's science fair project, laundry, dinner, Thanksgiving, donation request letters ... slight panic attack.  Consider foregoing my nail appointment and stopping in at the nearest bar.  Come to my senses - continue on to Eunice's.

I do have a few nice hours at Eunice's getting my nails done and hearing about Kimi's drama (believe me, funny).  Slight stress when I keep getting text messages and emails that I can't access.  Again, I think of ways that I can destroy said evil phone ... would acetone work?

Back to LakeSide to lock up a space.  Pick up Addison from the rec and head to Costco, as now my gas light is on (along with my check engine soon light).  This is the point that I seriously want to just pull over and cry.  I feel tired throughout my entire body.

Yes, there is a line at the gas pumps, of course.  I get behind this infinity - he pulls up to the second pump.  BEFORE he even opens his door, the car in front of him drives away.  I make what I believe to be a nice friendly gesture for him to move on up to the first pump.  Did he?  Well, of course not.  He gets out of his car to start pumping gas.  So I have to drive around him and then back up to the first pump.  Yes, I did consider backing up "just a little too much" and ramming the front end of his car.  But, then I think how the police would be called out and that would just take up too much of my already dwindling evening.  So, instead, I give him a not so nice "what a dumbass" look.  I say a few choice words (in the car - he didn't hear - something about a camel).  Poor Addison, she is just listening to my rant.

Into Costco we go.  Of course they are out of the PJs that I needed to exchange (Donna's b-day gift).  I have to get the crap for work for our potluck Friday lunch.  Yes, you can tell I'm in the holiday spirit, isn't it oozing?  And since I'm still in my heels, now my feet hurt (along with the rest of my body).

Drive home.  Double check, yep, dishes are still piled in the sink.  Addison is wanting baby quiches and spring rolls heated up (don't ask).  Of course, it was too much to ask that she read the directions and turn on the oven.  I get to the safety of my closet where my dear, sweet, comfy jammies await me.  Heaven at last.  Finally, I have time to go to the bathroom (yes probably TMI, but get over it).  As I was sitting "there" I was thinking, wow, this is so nice.  I'm alone.  It's peaceful.  It's quiet.  Is that why men spend so much time in the potty?

Okay - back to reality.  Pre-heat oven.  Heat up Addison's "dinner" ... pls don't call CPS!  I usually feed her better.  Mitchell forages in the fridge for leftovers and I get a whole 10-15 minutes to just sit on the couch.  Ooh.  Aww.  My serenity is broken by the outcry for math homework help.  Of course I have to look stuff up on google (since I can barely remember yesterday, I dang sure can't remember fraction formulas).  Susan is at church, so I can't compare answers with her ... so I forge ahead and finish the worksheet.  Whew.

Addison's science fair project is due Friday.  We did the experiment part last night.  Tonight was set to be power point night ... which I was dreading more than a shopping trip for jeans.  However, now she says "we" now only have to do a data table and graph.  But of course, she's not sure what information to use.  I send her away and keep the science fair info ... yes, I will be reading about that later tonight.  Joy.  Everyone reading this can be my witness - I will NEVER make Addison take Honors Science again.  I loathe science fair with every single bone in my body.  It is horrific torture.  This should be punishment for the terrorists we have locked up in their "day spas" ... everyday they would have to do a science fair project.  They would soon talk - spill the beans on where Bin Laden is, weapons of mass destruction, etc.

See the government just needs a good group of kick ass moms running the country.  We know how to set limits, we can say no, we can work within a budget, and face it - we are just smarter.

Well, I have to close now so that I can see what "we" need to work on for what I hope is the very last science fair project that ever has to be done within the walls of this house.  That's the main reason I couldn't imagine having more children ... that's just more science fair projects.  Humm, that could be used as a slogan for birth control!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Contentment

I was just reading Charles Swindoll's Insight for Today, about Contentment (insight for today).

This really spoke to me. I am often "afraid" of being content ... I feel that I don't have the right to be, or that something is going to happen (like I'm always bracing for the next "thing").

This thought hit me hard during this past summer, and of course, like always, God brought it to my attention.  It was one of many things that I took away from the Beth Moore Esther Study that I did this summer.  That the enemy doesn't want you to be content. He wants you to worry about the past, worry about the present and worry about the future.  To be truthful, I was caught up in that circle for a long time!  Constant worry.  Constant uneasiness, like I was on the edge at all times.

However, lately I have been making a decisive effort to just BE.  Just BE okay. Not perfect. Not to worry about every minute detail (not only those in my life, but those in other's lives too).  I would have a tendency (and still do at times, b'cs I'm not perfect) to dwell on other people's issues.  If someone told me they were having a problem, I wanted to find a solution for them (even if they didn't want a solution).  Can anyone relate to that?

For those that know me well, you're thinking yea right, Chasity is easing up? ... YES it is true. I am just content with my life. I have come to love Jesus, I love my husband, I love my kids, I love my friends.  I don't completely flip out if the house is not perfectly clean, if my bed is not made and if there are a few (okay 4) baskets of laundry that needs to be folded at any given time.  If someone helps me fold the towels, I no longer go behind them and re-fold them the correct way (my way).  It's just not that important any more.  Yes, I still have some OCD tendencies (toilet paper, going over the roll, not under - and yes, I still on occasion change it at other people's houses).

But these days.  I feel myself being pulled (led?) toward service.  I would much rather serve in aspects of ministries that I truly believe in - than lead a perfect life and just serve myself.

As I was searching for a verse on worry  ... this popped up.  WOW!

Matthew 6:25 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?


Does God know me or what?  He just called me out!  Yes, this is one part of my life that I do still worry about (diet, weight, etc) - to the point of obsession at times.  I can honestly say that I have not surrendered this part of my life to God.  I do hope to one day, sooner than later.

Contentment

I was just reading Charles Swindoll's Insight for Today, about Contentment (insight for today).

This really spoke to me. I am often "afraid" of being content ... I feel that I don't have the right to be, or that something is going to happen (like I'm always bracing for the next "thing").

This thought hit me hard during this past summer, and of course, like always, God brought it to my attention.  It was one of many things that I took away from the Beth Moore Esther Study that I did this summer.  That the enemy doesn't want you to be content. He wants you to worry about the past, worry about the present and worry about the future.  To be truthful, I was caught up in that circle for a long time!  Constant worry.  Constant uneasiness, like I was on the edge at all times.

However, lately I have been making a decisive effort to just BE.  Just BE okay. Not perfect. Not to worry about every minute detail (not only those in my life, but those in other's lives too).  I would have a tendency (and still do at times, b'cs I'm not perfect) to dwell on other people's issues.  If someone told me they were having a problem, I wanted to find a solution for them (even if they didn't want a solution).  Can anyone relate to that?

For those that know me well, you're thinking yea right, Chasity is easing up? ... YES it is true. I am just content with my life. I have come to love Jesus, I love my husband, I love my kids, I love my friends.  I don't completely flip out if the house is not perfectly clean, if my bed is not made and if there are a few (okay 4) baskets of laundry that needs to be folded at any given time.  If someone helps me fold the towels, I no longer go behind them and re-fold them the correct way (my way).  It's just not that important any more.  Yes, I still have some OCD tendencies (toilet paper, going over the roll, not under - and yes, I still on occasion change it at other people's houses).

But these days.  I feel myself being pulled (led?) toward service.  I would much rather serve in aspects of ministries that I truly believe in - than lead a perfect life and just serve myself.

As I was searching for a verse on worry  ... this popped up.  WOW!

Matthew 6:25 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?


Does God know me or what?  He just called me out!  Yes, this is one part of my life that I do still worry about (diet, weight, etc) - to the point of obsession at times.  I can honestly say that I have not surrendered this part of my life to God.  I do hope to one day, sooner than later.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

IKEA Rant - a little conviction goes a long way

This was posted on my other blog - but I felt it "belonged" on this one too:


So, I am sitting in church this morning listening to Pete's sermon. He is talking about getting angry (different reasons, etc). He brought up the gay marriage issue. He said that it makes him angry that the gay community states they are tired of the hatred shown against them. Pete put in so well - I will not do it justice here -- go online and listen to the pod cast (http://www.btbf.org/) ... but the gist was just because we, as Christians, do not believe in gay marriage since we believe that God ordained marriage between one woman and one man, does not mean that we feel hatred against those that are living in the gay lifestyle.

I felt very convicted when he said this as I was pretty hateful in my IKEA post last night against the gay crowd at IKEA. I do stand by my beliefs that God does not condone the gay lifestyle choice (yes, I did say choice); however, I do not intend to be hateful toward those that are caught up in that sin trap. I do not wish for anyone to be caught up in daily sin and miss the joy of what life could really be like.

IKEA Rant - a little conviction goes a long way

This was posted on my other blog - but I felt it "belonged" on this one too:


So, I am sitting in church this morning listening to Pete's sermon. He is talking about getting angry (different reasons, etc). He brought up the gay marriage issue. He said that it makes him angry that the gay community states they are tired of the hatred shown against them. Pete put in so well - I will not do it justice here -- go online and listen to the pod cast (http://www.btbf.org/) ... but the gist was just because we, as Christians, do not believe in gay marriage since we believe that God ordained marriage between one woman and one man, does not mean that we feel hatred against those that are living in the gay lifestyle.

I felt very convicted when he said this as I was pretty hateful in my IKEA post last night against the gay crowd at IKEA. I do stand by my beliefs that God does not condone the gay lifestyle choice (yes, I did say choice); however, I do not intend to be hateful toward those that are caught up in that sin trap. I do not wish for anyone to be caught up in daily sin and miss the joy of what life could really be like.

IKEA Rant - a little conviction goes a long way

So, I am sitting in church this morning listening to Pete's sermon.  He is talking about getting angry (different reasons, etc).  He brought up the gay marriage issue.  He said that it makes him angry that the gay community states they are tired of the hatred shown against them.  Pete put in so well - I will not do it justice here -- go online and listen to the pod cast (http://www.btbf.org/) ... but the gist was just because we, as Christians, do not believe in gay marriage since we believe that God ordained marriage between one woman and one man, does not mean that we feel hatred against those that are living in the gay lifestyle.

I felt very convicted when he said this as I was pretty hateful in my IKEA post last night against the gay crowd at IKEA.  I do stand by my beliefs that God does not condone the gay lifestyle choice (yes, I did say choice); however, I do not intend to be hateful toward those that are caught up in that sin trap.  I do not wish for anyone to be caught up in daily sin and miss the joy of what life could really be like.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

IKEA Revisited (yes, a lot like Brideshead)

Yes, I know that I had sworn to NEVER return to IKEA again; however, I had to return quite a few items, as sometimes design ideas look so much better in my head than in reality.  So hear we go.  Mitchell drops me off and waits in the car.  I make the trek into the store from hell.  I was totally expecting to have to rescan my items, process my own return, and even restock the items.  But, to my surprise there are 2 real, actual people working in the Return Dept.  Yay I think and I get a little hope.  Then the boy behind the counter asks me if I took a number.  WHAT?  Yes, they had one of those machines where you have to pull a number and then wait to be called.  Ta-da, here is the machine:





  So I'm heading over to the number machine and as I'm reaching to pull a number, this ass (we'll call him shaggy) of a "man" (and I use that word very loosely) grabs a number first!  I of course give him "the look" and say "really?" ... he ignores me and returns to his partner.





So I take a seat, with my number, on an uncomfortable, stupid, IKEA bench.  Things do seem to be moving along in the return lines and then - of course - one of the workers collects her items and leaves the desk.  So, I continue to sit and to wait - while staring down the 2 inconsiderate gay guys who stole my number.

I have a flashback of the Beetlejuice movie, where Beetlejuice is in the waiting room to talk to one of the afterworld people and he steals the head hunter's numbers so he can be seen sooner.  Of course, then he gets his head shrunk.  So, I decide not to go take my rightful number back.

Guy 175 goes up the to the counter - he's dressed in black pants and a black shiny shirt - yes, nice.  He doesn't have a receipt so the IKEA boy takes a good 5 minutes explaining to him the return policy, finally he gets hauled off to somewhere else.  Then the "guys" get called up (with what should have been my number 176).  Shaggy realizes once he gets to the counter, he has brought in the wrong box!  Poetic justice!  I loved it.  I actually laughed, yes out loud.  He and lover boy storm out.  Here I go, 177, my return goes smoothly to my shocking disbelief.  Got my $90 credit and still have re-vowed NEVER to return to that horrid store again.

I will give you a hint however, if you are a foreigner or a gay guy (hell, maybe even a gay foreigner) IKEA is the new scene on Saturday night.




Partner's Card Shopping 101

Well, Jenn and I met up at LakeSide yesterday to do our annual Partner's Card Shopping.  We started off at one of our favorite stores, Sur La Table.  This store is so ooh and ahh.  The funny part, Jenn bought more stuff there than I did (humm, for those that know Jenn - you are snickering right now).  My purchase here was relatively small ($30-ish) - no biggie so far.

Off to Starbucks for a cold one (yumm, Passion Fruit Non Classic Tea--see I am addicted to Starbuck-ese).  Then we head to Renee Rouleau.  Here's where my shopping really starts.  I love, love, love her products and 20% off is a huge savings there.  So I basically bought 2 of everything that I use.  Believe me, this purchase was much larger than my previous one at Sur La Table.  Jenn did much better on her spending here than I did.  Mine was in the triple digits, that's all I'm saying.  But, to my defense, these are products that I will use everyday and they will last a long time -- and I saved a lot!  So, for this purchase, I use the credit card that emails the statements directly to me (not mailed directly to Mitchell's office).  :) 

Then off we go to Corner Wines - another one of our favorite shops.  Not much damage done there - we each bought 3 bottles of vino, again $30-ish bucks.  Not bad, huh?

Jenn had to head out and pick up the kiddos.  So off I go to The Woolie ewe all by my lonesome.  I LOVE this store.  Their yarn is so awesome and the nicest people work there.  It's one of those places, where you walk in and they know your name (kind of like a yarn store version of Cheers).  Again, another triple digit purchase ... but, wow, 20% off.  I have to admit, I am a bit of a Yarn Hoarder (I may seek help after the holidays).

So now I arrive home.  No one is at home, except the dogs (and they are so loyal -- they would NEVER rat me out).  So, the Sur La Table bag goes into the extra bedroom until I have a chance to stash my newly acquired popcorn maker and gourmet popcorn into the closet.  The Renee Rouleau bag gets to just sit on the dryer by the laundry baskets ... yes, it's amazing how small the bag is, yet how expensive the purchase.  The wine goes straight into the additional "6 pack holder" that I keep by the frig.  The yarn, off to the yarn/craft/ebay closet.

The hubby comes home.  No evidence.  Of course, he walks in while I'm on Farmville, so I quickly get out of that and get back into my silent auction letters that I'm working on.

Humm, he's home now, and of course, I am on the computer AGAIN (in bed, in jammies) ... gotta go!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Blogger Block ...

I have been updating my "fun" blog almost daily ... but I have only one post on this blog.  This fact has really been weighing on my mind.  I have been stressing over this.  Feeling really guilty.  I had all of these good (well, what I thought were good) ideas at the beginning and they seemed to have just vanished.

The more I thought about this - the more I believed this was blogger block alright, but by a different source.  It's my belief that the closer you are getting to God, the more you are talking to Him, listening to Him, glorifying Him ... the more the enemy wants to attack.  These attacks can be so sneaky ... little things-distractions, self doubt, tiredness, "ADD" of sorts.  I have been getting more and more invloved in charity events, ministries, functions, etc.  And I really love it.  So when the enemy saw this --- that's when the doubt came in to play ... can you pull all of this off?  are you over-committed?  aren't you going to be tired and stressed trying to get all of the stuff done?

Well, I am not going to let any of those "doubts" control my life now or ever.  I am fully re-committing myself to my current undertakings:  * Zone Leader @ Church (BTBF) * Helping Susan with the E Plano Food Bank (she does 99% of the work and all of the planning) * Partnering with The Family Place by promoting The Partner's Card Event as much as possible, and * Chairing the Silent Auction Committee (and continually praying for committee members -- HINT HINT) for the Tender Hearts Luncheon, benefitting Need Him Ministries.

I would ask that if you are reading this, please take a moment to say a prayer of encouragement for me to have joy while serving!

Blogger Block ...

I have been updating my "fun" blog almost daily ... but I have only one post on this blog.  This fact has really been weighing on my mind.  I have been stressing over this.  Feeling really guilty.  I had all of these good (well, what I thought were good) ideas at the beginning and they seemed to have just vanished.

The more I thought about this - the more I believed this was blogger block alright, but by a different source.  It's my belief that the closer you are getting to God, the more you are talking to Him, listening to Him, glorifying Him ... the more the enemy wants to attack.  These attacks can be so sneaky ... little things-distractions, self doubt, tiredness, "ADD" of sorts.  I have been getting more and more invloved in charity events, ministries, functions, etc.  And I really love it.  So when the enemy saw this --- that's when the doubt came in to play ... can you pull all of this off?  are you over-committed?  aren't you going to be tired and stressed trying to get all of the stuff done?

Well, I am not going to let any of those "doubts" control my life now or ever.  I am fully re-committing myself to my current undertakings:  * Zone Leader @ Church (BTBF) * Helping Susan with the E Plano Food Bank (she does 99% of the work and all of the planning) * Partnering with The Family Place by promoting The Partner's Card Event as much as possible, and * Chairing the Silent Auction Committee (and continually praying for committee members -- HINT HINT) for the Tender Hearts Luncheon, benefitting Need Him Ministries.

I would ask that if you are reading this, please take a moment to say a prayer of encouragement for me to have joy while serving!

Blockbuster (a.k.a. HELL?)

Ok.  By now everyone has probably heard about or read about the Blockbuster employee that stabbed himself in the leg to get out of working the late shift.

We've all had days where we've just not felt like going into work.  We're stressed.  We're tired.  We just want a break; however, I have never even thought about stabbing myself to get out of work!  That is just a tad extreme.  If I want a day off from work I want to hang out on the couch in my jammies, go to the movies, read, knit, play on Facebook ... not hang out in the hospital after stabbing myself.

How bad can it be working at Blockbuster?  Really, is this a such a high stress job?  Humm, "is this a new release or a regular movie?"  "does c come before d?"  "do you want the overpriced popcorn or overpriced coke?"

I just don't see this as the worse job in the world.  Boring, okay, I'll give you that.  But, it is a job.  Something tells me that this "former" employee will have a hard time getting another job ... after he heals and faces charges for filing a false police report.  No new releases for you!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tuesdays with Jennifer (not Morrie)

Tuesdays and Thursdays are my favorite days at the office as those are the days Jennifer comes into the office.  She always brigthens my day.

This past Tuesday, I had a major case of ADD.  I was trying to work on my 2010 Budget and kept getting distracted.  I had the attention span of a ... well, of a teenager.  So, during one of my "breaks" Jenn and I were chatting.  I was telling her about my Monday evening (post vicodin).  That I spent 3 1/2 hours glazing and sponging Addison's bathroom, did a load of laundry and then the dishes.  I finally got to sit down on the couch after all of this and of course I decided to check out what was going on in the land of FB.  Well, about that time, the hubby gets home from BSF.  His comment, "well, you're complaining about your vision being blurry - maybe if you weren't always on the computer ..."  WHAT?  He couldn't have walked in when I was wrist deep in glaze? separating the laundry? emptying the dishwasher?  Oh no!

Well, Jenn said that Tom (by the way, we have decided that Tom and Mitchell are long lost brothers - they are scary alike) has been making comments about her being on the computer so much lately too.  So, when she hears him coming in - she hits the "sleep" button on the computer and steps away.

By this time, I am in tears laughing so hard.  So, I had to confess my little secret.  Yes, I do like to sit on the couch when I get home around 4pm, watch Gilmore Girl re-runs and check out Facebook, Twitter, Ebay ... you know the basics.  But, about the time that I think Mitchell is about to come home -- I start a load of laundry, start making dinner, set the table, etc ... then it appears that I have been working so hard around the house the whole afternoon.  Hey, a wife has to do what a wife has to do.  He gets to live out his June Cleaver fantasy; dinner is almost always on the table when he walks in the door; and I get a little break.  It's a win / win.  Now, this is not always the case - there are afternoons filled with doctor's appts, errands, homework help, etc.

Don't judge us ... you know you have done the same thing (or at least something along these lines).  And, we wives do work hard - and deserve the occasional facebook break.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Hips Cometh ...

Okay.  So I have been having major back pain (diagnosed as "degenerative disc disease" - sounds fun huh?).  My doctor recommended that I go see a physical therapist so that he could show me some exercises to do at home to help my back, and of course to take Advil for the pain (BTW, my doctor said that 12 Advil per day --- is a bit much, in case you were wondering).

So I go over to the PT's office.  Chit chat with the therapist and of course he tells me that I need to come in and see him at least twice a week - I need more than "at home exercises."  Isn't this shocking?  All we did the first visit was chat about my pain, he watched me walk, he made sure my legs were even in length (they were thank you very much), yadda, yadda, yadda.  Then the PT told me that if my back started hurting while doing an activity, stop.  Wait 15 minutes, if the pain subsides, continue the activity.  If the pain is still there - just stop.  Humm - yes, I imagine you can guess this bit of handy advice came from a man, whose activity more than likely consists of changing positions on the couch and reaching for the remote.  No, I am not jaded.

I've been back in twice and both times were somewhat useless. Stretch out on the table (yep, legs still even in length - whew, I didn't shrink!), 10 mins on the bike, stretches and then the best part ... a huge ice pack on my back while I'm hooked up to this machine with electrodes.  The best feeling ever!  If I could just take that machine with me .... ooh ahh.

With all this being said.  Friday, felt ok.  Nice lunch with my hubby, talked him into taking the rest of thd day off and doing errands with me.  I think he realized just how hard I work at shopping and errands.  It's about time I get credit for all of my hard work. 

Saturday, woke up in extreme pain!  I still managed to prep and paint most of Addison's bathroom, work on her new "play/apartment" area and cook dinner (this with the help of 3 vicodin of course).  Sunday, more pain - yet I worked at church, ran errands and finished painting the bathroom (again with the help of a couple of vicodin).  Monday rolls around - yes, still in pain the entire day.  Go to PT.  Of course, this time I'm put on the bike directly in front of the mirror (thank you Mr. Man Therapist).  So, I sit there and pedal and look at myself in the mirror for ten minutes.  Doesn't this sound like every woman's dream come true?

As I'm sitting there pedaling, I noticed these large masses on each side of my body -- I realize, humm, these are my hips.  When did they expand to that size?  Again, I think that I must have fun house / skinny mirrors at my house.  I swear that when I got dressed that morning, I looked pretty good.  What the hell happened during the day?  It was like Paula Deen herself came and slathered about 14 pounds of butter on each hip.  Damn you Paula!!!  So, finally my mirror torture time comes to an end and I get my reward of ice and electrodes.

By the time I left there and picked up Addison, I felt like I was about to vomit ... not sure if it was from the pain or the image I still had in my mind from the mirror.  I had promised Addison a "mommy / daughter" dinner out.  I had to go through with it, so off we go to Chili's.  You would think, that since I am having some body image issues that I would order water and a salad with no dressing.  Well, that so didn't happen.  They have their $20 special back -- appetizer, 2 entrees and a dessert.  Well, yes, I did partake in the cheese fries.  Yes, I did order a burger and yet more fries (to my credit, I only ate half the burger).  Yes, I did have my share of the molten chocolate cake with ice cream.  I had popped a vicodin when I got to the restaurants, so by the time we reached the house -- no pain at all.  3 1/2 hours later, bathroom was glazed and sponged and a load of laundry was done ... without another thought of the hips.

Thank God I go back to the doctor tomorrow as I can not live on vicodin alone!  Well, I could, but that probably wouldn't be the best of plans.