chatter

At work it seems that I all I do is attend meeting and brainstorm and even a focus group. I am not good at brainstorming with others. My original fear is saying something stupid but at these meetings I am concentrating on making it appear as I am contributing. I am on the marketing committee at work. Donna asked me what I tell people when I tell them about where I work. I fumbled all over myself. I know it is so obvious that I am a social misfit. I figure enough of these under by belt and maybe I can get over myself. Hey, today I finally found that list of therapists that I have been looking for for a long time now. I will call one soon. Also did I mention that Christina and Corey asked me to photograph their wedding? I am so honored and thrilled but I need to lighten up, loosen up and get over myself.

Poorly timed AC issues

Today I woke up to the problem of the airconditioner not working. This was really bad news. Today starts a long oppresive heat wave (the next few days near 100). Because of this forecast I was treating it as a snow day and staying inside where it was confortable and clean house. This news compromised my plan.

RAW asked the neighbors who they knew for AC repair. He called that guy and that guy talked him through a repair. I guess the ground wire came loose. We now have air and it cost us nothing. That could of been an expensive experience. We owe that guy our future business.

We now can see Hollace’s floor. Still working on seeing the floor or table surfaces in my computer room but it will happen. I am in a purge mood and the pile going to Goodwill is growing.

Remember Hollace’s penpal named Hollace? This little girl with the help of her dad googled her name and found Hollace. Then I found out they only lived in Racine and then that her dad worked where I did. I think it is her dad who is scheduled to come and install some software for me on Monday. Small world huh

Dentist

I am already missing Dr. Walker. He always had such wonderful things to say about my teeth. Well he retired and we seen his replacement last week. A young guy from where I am from. He was born in the hospital by mom’s house. Anyway he thinks I need some work on a tooth or two that look decayed under the old fillings. I have noticed that things looked off there for a long time. Why didn’t Dr. Walker ever say anything? I probably should get it fixed now so I can avoid root canals He also thought Hollace had some precursor for cavities in her new molars so he is going to seal them next week. I guess we aren’t perfect. 😉

Sherry and Andrea came up by 9:30 so we could catch the 10:51 train to Chicago.

We took the free trolley to Navy Pier and had lunch. Not a good idea to eat at a sit down restraurant at Navy Pier, over priced and the 18% tip is forced on you. When all was said and done I think I ended up giving him an additional $5 for a tip, sheesh.

Sarah as begging for everything and I was being a stick in the mud aunt. I eventually let her and Emma go into the fun house. Sherry and Andrea went with and me and Hollace stayed behind. She didn’t want to go.

After Navy Pier I tried to lead them to a walk to Milliunum Park but it started remind me of the time I took the whole clan racing back to Union Station from the pier. I don’t know where the hell we were going. I didn’t realize that Milliunum Park was close to Art Institute which is too far from Navy Pier. Well maybe not that far but I didn’t gear anyone up for the trek we took.

The kids ran around and got wet at the Park. I remained the stick in the mud and just watched. I started to get overheated in the direct sun and eventually had to find a shady spot.

Andrea asks me where we were going next and I told her back to the train station. She instantly got bummed. She was hoping for some shopping.

We head out to a trolley spot and wait and wait and wait. I thought I gave us enought time to make our 6:35 train but that darn trolley just wouldn’t come around. It finally got here at 6:35 so that gave us time to eat at Union Station while we wait for the 8:35 train.

Everyone was beat becasue the next day I was the first to arise at 10am, then the 7 year olds at 10:10. Around 10:45 Sarah comes in from the camper where she, Sherry and Andrea were sleeping. Sherry comes in at 11 and Andrea shortly after still half asleep.

Now we wait for Cindy and family to come and pick up the girls. Her transmission problems only cost her $130 and that includes towing. I guess the pan was loose.

They come, stay for a short bit then try to leave. They almost forget Mac ;-). He was busy playing in Hollace’s room and didn’t want to go.

After they leave, Sherry, Andrea, Hollace and I head for the mall so Andrea can get some shopping done. I bought a new purse. Eventually me and Hollace leave since it doesn’t look Andrea was going to finish up for awhile. We brought separate cars so they just get on the tollway from there.

On the drive home I hear from Paula, she bought a house.

Fourth of July is now over and we are on the sixth now.

Saturday, RAW took off with the camper an hour before me and Hollace yet only got to CP 15 minutes before us. It sure is a bitch to get to Indiana on the Tri-State. I can’t wait until they get the construction done, it is b-a-d. Both RAW and I tried (different) alternative routes to avoid the construction to no avail. I found myself stuck in traffic in downtown Harvey and it was a little scary.

This year Cindy and Pam’s families were there with the exception of Emma and Sarah how got left at mom’s to hang out with Hollace.

On Sunday, I took mom and the girls to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm that has all kinds of fun stuff to do and see. We got to see a cow give birth and the milking carousel, then it was off for icecream and cheese in their store.

On Monday I went shopping without the girls

Tuesday was the holiday. Cindy and Pam (and the rest of the kids) were due originally around noon which meant they had to get out at 6am. I guess Shawn got sick so that put them behind so they weren’t due until 2. Pam then called me and said that since Cindy took over driving from Tim (Pam was following Cindy’s van) they are making good time and were only 23 miles away but Cindy was spewing oil all over her. Then the phone rings again and it is Cindy asking for Dad. Apparently the oil she was spewing was transmission fluid and her trannie blew up and she needed dad to rescue her 10 miles from home.

Needless to say we didn’t make the parade this year.

Before the picnic, cousin Jeff, Lynda and their baby came by for a visit on their way home. I was suppose to see his mom that weekend but she didn’t get back with me like she said she would. I kind of figure she might of been a bit uncomfortable with my visit based on the phone call from last week when I was trying to plan my trip.

The weather was perfect, the food was good and the regular cast of characters were there.

We went to the fireworks as usual except I drove the girls instead of Cindy driving. I loaned Jeff my tripod so I didn’t even bring my camera.

Wednesday was when Pam and Cindy and kids (minus the girls who were going with me) were suppose to go up to Wisconsin where Pam has an interview on Friday. Instead they are trying to get someone quickly look at and fix the van.

I got 11 year old Willliam playing on my computer with Garage Band and he was all gung ho making his own music. Of course this prospect interested 14 year old Jeff so he had a turn as well. 14 year old Read was interested in if I had some Red Hot Chile Peppers on my iPod. Jeff has put in his bid on my old iPod for when i get my new one, stand in line buddy ;-). 11 year old Shawn (the kid Cindy is guardian for) stayed in the camper playing game cube on my little TV.

Me and the girls headed home.

Today we went out to Ikea and grocery shopping. By the end of the night, both Hollace and Emma were upset and angry with each other. Too tired and too much time together. It took me a long time to convince a stuborn and crying Emma that she can’t sleep on the living room floor that she has to go to Hollace’s room even after telling her that Hollace was sleeping with me.

Tomorrow, Friday, I have to work, work at home at least. RAW can take them to Artworks and we will go swimming. We will also schedule some down time so the girls don’t implode again.

On Saturday, Sherry is suppose to come up and we all will take the train to Chicago. We will see how that works out.

Sunday, we get the girls back to Wisconsin

Today I just couldn’t focus. It was a Friday before I had a week off. I figured that was it. I felt all ADD and have for a couple days. It just occured to me as I was getting ready to write here but that is this months version of PMS. It also occured to me that I don’t have the blues like I was getting there for awhile. I don’t think I even got bitchy this month though RAW is and everything he does is driving me nuts……wait, that sounds like I am bitchy doesn’t it? Well come on I am getting sick of him not using his time better. Hollace was in day camp for the last two weeks and yet he didn’t do anything with the floor until tonight. He for some reason thinks the TV center should be way over the edge as opposed to centered on the wall and in front of the couch. I don’t even want to tell him what I think about the small stupid blanket he keeps laying out on his side of our king sized bed or nag at him about getting rid of that Chrysler so he doesn’t have to park his freaking huge truck on our front yard. Ok, breath, breath. It is ok to vent but don’t get myself worked up at 1am.

For some happy news. Christina and Corey asked me to shoot their wedding. I knew right before Christina asked me that she was going to ask me. I was suppose to have lunch with Corey an hour later where he was suppose to ask me but she scooped him ;-). It should be fun, now I have to figure out how to get over myself and have fun with it. It shouldn’t be like the mafia wedding I did last summer 😉

Hmm, that White Stripe Elephant CD ain’t too bad. I have been meaning to hear what they are all about for awhile. I found a CD at the library and checked it out to listen to it when we got back from vacation. Only the CD found its way to North Carolina/Tennesse anyway. Actually I am not sure where it found itself because what I found was a broken jewel case and no CD.

I ordered a new copy to replace it. I got it today. I finally put it on and so as far as up to track 3 is concerned, I like them. Last week Jon at work gave me the Raconteurs to listen to. That group is Jack White (from White Stripe for those not in the know) latest incarnation. I really liked their one accoustic song which prompted me to go out and listen to other stuff he has done. Anyway, I am not thrilled with the Raconteuers but I do like the White Stripe. Go figure.

It is Friday night and RAW and Hollace are in Appleton. Since Cindy’s house in now on the market they need to do some major garage work so the brother-in-laws put the call out to RAW. I sent Hollace along with him to play with Emma. I stayed behind because I got too much to do around here and besides I will see them all in a week or two.

Pam’s house is going up on the market too. Shelby took the job in Wisconsin so they are leaving Kentucky.

And Paula is looking at houses too. She is disillusioned with the fact that $200K doesn’t buy much in Baltimore.

Kind of funny that all four of us are in the house market at the same time.

This weekend I am making new back cushions for the cushion possessed couch. The cushions it has kind of take over and shape shift to encompass the whole seating area. Really I shouldn’t put any effort in that cheap ass 1.5 old piece of shit, just toss it to the curb and get a new one. Aside from the cushions from hell, it leaves a nice butt print when you sit on it.

Another project this weekend is to set up the new/old PC here at home. I brought home an old Dell computer from work so I can work at home more effectively.

Hollace is still obsessed with kiwis and since Haley left, her imaginary friends have come back in full force. Lately it is a family of kiwis. One of which has lots of money to spend so Hollace always wants to take “her” shopping.

Sandie from BYB just moved to New Zealand where kiwis are from and she just sent Hollace a little stuffed kiwi animal. Oh was Hollace surprised and beyond thrilled. And today we got a postcard with a kiwi on it from Sandie.

Sandie, if you are reading this, as soon as I stop typing here, I will go and get your clock made. Thanks!

North Carolina and Smoky Mountains

Friday

Friday night we started out on our trip by going to Crown Point for the night to get a head start out of town. I brought the waterpainting mom bought that she wanted me to mat and frame. Had a nice little visit, slept on uncomfortable beds and then at 7:30 the next morning we headed out for as long as we can drive.

The day before I checked out some books on tapes for the long drive and was surprised to find out that the one book I got, the Notebook, was set in New Bern which is where we are heading.

Saturday

We drove and drove until we got to Charlotte West Virginia at around 6:00 our time. We stopped at a Days Inn first. Around here they are happy to give you the AAA discount even if we don

As usual we went to Cindy

got over my fear of cutting a bevel mat with my *new* (yeah in December) mat cutter. Every mat I ever tried to cut sucked and aggrevated my wrist. With this new doohickie, it should go easier but I was afraid that when all is said and done, the mat will still suck.

Mom bought this water color print she wanted me to frame. What a perfect opportunity to try out that mat cutter. She gave it to me the end of March.

On Sunday Carroll offered to come pick up Hollace up for a playdate. That left me with 5 hours of free time! RAW was in Indiana. I got that darn mat cutter out and after one minor mishap, I cut a perfect mat! I was so excited.

Today I picked up the old Subaru. I have been driving around the loaner car, a 06 Hyundai Sonata and parking it under the messy tree which is the only place to park a car around here. Anyway I got the call today at work the car was ready. I wanted to wash the loaner quickly first but didn’t want to pay for a car wash, I was kind of embarassed on how bad it looked with sap and seeds but I am still a cheapskate and know the dealer has a car wash facility. I go to fill it with gas which I needed to do and the gas pump kept asking over and over if I wanted to buy a car wash. No. I get to the dealership and they ask me if I wanted them to wash the Suburu before I left. Sure. In the end however they didn’t wash the Subaru because my attenna doesn’t go down and they said their washer will break it off. I guess it is karma car wash since I didn’t wash their car first.

The bill was exactly what they estimated. I guess that is a good thing nothing else was found wrong with the transmission.

I noticed immediately though that it takes a bit longer to start it. I thought originally it was because the loaner must of been more responsive to turn the key but now I am not so sure. I have a feeling my starter is now going out. How odd that it starts to go out the moment I get the transmission fixed. Now I still have the fear that car will strand me in a parking lot.

That is what I am and so is RAW for the most part even though he hates the house.

Right now we should be in Wisconsin camping but we are not. I already paid the $63 to do so but blew it off.

I value my stay at home weekends and while I just had a few in a row, the next three coming up won’t be. Next weekend is Memorial Day and we usually go to Appleton then the next two weekends will be part of vacation. We are going to North Carolina and the homebody in me isn’t really looking forward to it but I am forcing myself to be happy.

I don’t know what exactly is wanting to keep me at home but it is. If I would just get out more then I would have more opportunity to see things to photograph. That alone should get me out but last week I broke the rut in my photography by walking around the neighborhood and seeing things I hadn’t seen before.

I should really try to do something different this weekend since we are staying home. I supose I should start my list on things I want to do or accomplish this weekend right now.

I finallly am getting the darn transmission fixed on the Subaru. I have been dealing with the fact that it doesn’t go into drive too easily for nearly 4 years now. It was getting worse and on Tuesday while already in drive it pulled its shenigans. While I had no problem being stranded by my trannie in a parking lot, totally unacceptable to be stranded on the road at a stop light. I was able to shift my weight (knew obesity had its good points) forward and get it back in gear. I finally bit the bullet and took it in last night. I also knew it was time when I would see other people go right into drive with their cars and think wistfully, wow what a concept.

To rebuild the trannie it was going to cost $4,500. Fortunately it doesn’t look I need to have that happen. With the $2,200 however, it looks like it will be basically rebuild so what a deal! 😉

They also found a lot of other things wrong with the car unrealated to the trannie, probably another $1500 worth of goodies. None of those seems critical being centered with oil seals and such. I am not losing oil, we will keep an eye on it.

I had to drag RAW and Hollace out of bed an hour early to get me to work this morning. I had a client who was suppose to have a critical change for their time sensitive website first thing in the morning. RAW gets me to work and I quickly realized once in the building that I didn’t have my keys so I couldn’t get in the office. I emptied my purse in the hall looking for those keys and was surprised to see one lone spare key for the office in there. Totally bizarre and perfect.

As for that time sensitive change? I am still waiting for it and it and lunch is almost over.