Merry Christmas

Not sure if I will get to post again before Christmas so I thought I would make a fun post. I put links to my favorite Holiday movie quotes. Have some laughs and enjoy! Merry Christmas!!
I like smiling
I know Santa
Merry Christmas
Good View
Ten Yards
Aunt Bethany
My Boss

There are probably a lot more but these can always make me laugh! Cheers!

Sleepy eyes

I have been pretty good lately getting through my day without any problems. I was kind of thankful but also worried that my blog has been suffering since I haven't been making an fool out of myself. Well the prayers were answered.
Jasmine awoke me this morning at her usual time, between 3 and 4 am. She was just being too cute drinking the Christmas tree water last night (and the night before) that I couldn't stop her. More water =frequent bathroom trips. Well she woke me up and being half asleep I ran right into the side of my door (the skinny side of a door when its open). This was a moment after I had stepped on my TV remote. I let her outside and tried to sleep standing up while "watching" her from the door. She finally came in and I was walking back to my room and as I was about to get into bed I kicked over a jar of bath salt someone at work had given me. Okay, this isn't your ordinary bath salt...its old lady bath salt and can be smelled from miles away. I just stood over it for sometime because my eyes had not fully opened yet and the smell was starting to make me sick. I couldn't vacuum it up because A. it was 3 or 4 in the morning and B. Stupid vacuum cleaner is not working. So I had the great idea of taking a towel and covering it up to help soften the smell so I could sleep.
Things continued to improve when I managed to wake up later than I should again. I then torn apart my closet trying to just find something simple to wear and get out the door. I put on a white t-shirt and started getting ready when I had a perma-stain down the front of it and deemed it "not wearable" to work. I then pulled out an old standby and continued to get ready. Not 5 minutes later I noticed a weird stain on one of the shoulders and it to could not be worn. I also ran out to start my car and realized I had left my cell phone in my car and it was like it have frostbite. So I spent 5 minutes trying to revive it. If that phone was a cat, it would have way past 9 lives now. I then noticed that before I left I saw that I had been stepping on the towel covering up the bath salt all morning and the salts should be embedded in my carpet now. The smell will most likely last forever!
So far nothing else major has happened but you know its bad when the sun isn't up and everything that could go wrong does!

Is there still such a thing?

As Christmas quickly approaches, I have found myself without the Christmas spirit. I truly feel that it is a much deeper feeling when you are younger. Of course at a young age the true meaning of Christmas is lost in between worrying about Santa, presents and being out of school. But at the same time things were much more simple and you were able to enjoy the holiday. You didn't have to worry about work, buying presents, entertaining friends and family, etc. Mom's were just as happy with a homemade birdhouse as they were a expensive new sweater. I'm sure that is still true but as you get older you feel guilty making a birdhouse out of leftover waterbed parts when you should go out and buy a stack of gifts. I think my problem is I worry about too much what I am going to buy for others and how I am going to afford it when doing even little things can produce the same good feeling of giving.
I had another reason to feel guilty last night. My dad, brother and I were talking last night about the gifts were were given by our employers.
My dad: Last year I got meat, a blanket and a pie. This year I got a bag of chocolate covered chips and gift certificates to Gambinos Pizza (side note: the family that owns the restaurant he works is related to the family that owns Gambinos.)
my brother: Well I got one better. The owner came up to me and had a stack of Christmas bonus checks and asked my name. He flipped through and couldn't find mine. I told him I was hired through Staffco (its a employment agency in town) and he just walked away. No Merry Christmas or anything.
me: Well my boss brought a tin of cookies and a card saying that she made a donation to a local charity in lieu of gifts.
I felt guilty afterwards because I shouldn't have been disappointed by my gift. In all of our situations (expect my brother's, something was wrong there!) we were expecting something more and were disappointed by the gifts. This is when I feel the worst with myself for not appreciating the little things. Nothing was wrong with the gifts because it was the thought that counts and remembering this is often hard. I was however reminded of the movie National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and where Clark gets a 12-month membership to the Jelly of the Month Club when he was expecting a bonus check. I wish I could have been like Eddy with my reaction to my gift. I guess the spirit of Christmas will come back to me and I can work harder on being thankful for what I already have instead of being disappointed with something that I didn't expect.

How to ruin my night

Here is how you ruin a perfectly good Sunday night:
1. Right before my favorite show, Desperate Housewives, is about to start interrupt so the President can talk.
2. Force me to flip back and forth while the President speaks to avoid falling asleep or throwing something sharp at the TV.
3. Let the President continue to talk for close to 20 minutes.
4. Finally when he is done making up new words and saying he's sorry when he's really not, then show a re-run for Desperate Housewives!


Thanks again! Was only looking forward to it all week!

One of these is not like the other one

Notice the picture I have included. I have created this picture in Paint to help you visual my observation. So Janet hung these stockings for everyone on one of the doors for ALL to see and made a big production about it. Well she finally got them hung up and the world started moving again, but I really didn't pay much attention until the student worker pointed something out. The first two (which I have numbered 1 & 2) are Janet's and my bosses. The middle two (numbered 3 &4) are the two student workers and the far right one is mine (number 5). Here are the obvious observations:
1. The stockings for her and my boss are identical.
2. The stocking for the student workers are identical.
3. Mine does not match any of the other stockings.
4. My stocking is placed further away from the other stockings...the word that comes to mind is outcast.
I really cant make this up or over exaggerate. I just find it highly amusing! Which brings me to my next point. Check out toothpastefordinner comic of the day. So perfect!

Is it Friday yet?

Keeping on the theme of gross....Did I miss the memo saying it was "National Don't wash your hands day after going to the bathroom"! I swear the nine times I have already been to the bathroom this morning like half the people have not been washing their hands. No wonder I keep getting sick!
Other highlights of the day...
1. The elastic is shot in my underwear and its starting to look weird when I try to fix it every five minutes.
2. Was unaware of the snow over night so I got ready in 20 minutes=look like crap. Then I find out that the roads are fine and I get to work early.
3. The clip broke in my hair so all the short pieces that don't make it to my ponytail are hanging all over the place. Considering using a paperclip.

Since I was early to work this morning and since I found $7.00 in my pants pocket I stopped at starbucks. I LOVE their hot chocolate but sometimes it is served luke warm. I have been saying "grande extra hot, hot chocolate" only to have them repeat it back as "an grande extra hot chocolate." So this morning I thought I would outsmart them and ordered "a grande extra hot chocolate." After a long pause "I think we can do that?" Then something clicked and she was like "Oh you want an extra hot, hot chocolate." I could here laughter in the background and I got the feeling I was being made fun of. When I got up to the window they kept bringing it up adding another hot while laughing. "here's your hot hot hot chocolate...hahaha!" Seriously, A. it wasn't that funny and B. When I took a drink it was luke warm. That's great I will be known as the hot hot hot chocolate girl who gets lukewarm hot chocolate!

Someone is always watching!

Its been another boorific day with Janet but I won't bore you anymore with the details. Let just say she took over my candy jar and I'm not happy about it!
The office is pretty crazy this week due to it being finals week. Some people aren't handling it as well as others (*cough* janet). We have people testing everywhere and I was watching one of the monitors this morning and didn't believe what I was seeing. I knew this might happen someday but not today. There I am doing my own thing watching this person take a test when I noticed he had started to pick his nose. I know GROSS! I should explain the view I'm getting is from above looking right down on him. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep watching but that's what I am paid to do. I was just praying that he wouldn't eat it! He didn't but he did something just as gross. He then took his buger fingers and wiped it under the table! DOUBLE GROSS!
I seriously don't know why he thought no one would see it. There are signs everywhere that basically say CHEAT if you DARE, we are WATCHING YOU! I started laughing with a grossed out twist wondering who I should tell. I can put money on it that I will have to clean that station tonight. Like my job doesn't suck enough!

You never know in Fremont

Two words to describe this weekend....Sugar high!
I had been planning a small get together to make gingerbread houses for a couple weeks. Why, I don't know. I filled my cart at Wal-mart (of course) full of anything that contained more than 95% sugar. I got a little carried away. I posted death threats to help guard my treasures hoping they would make it to Sunday. But before the Gingerbread extravaganza I was scheduled to help frost sugar cookies at my grandma's house with my cousins. Billy had plans he couldn't cancel, sleep, so it was just me to represent my family at the event. Two of my younger cousins and I frosted cookies until our fingers hurt. I have to say we are getting more creative. There was the Santa with bugs eating his beard, Christmas trees with wings, and Santa's with their beards cut off. Blame MTV.
Sunday came...GINGERBREAD house day! I got everything ready and excited to see everyone that was able to come. Had some good laughs trying to compete with one another while trying to save our houses from crumbling. I was going to be all Martha Stewart and make real gingerbread but why go through the pain when the house is just going to sit and rot Christmas after Christmas (okay, I like to save mine). Got a little freaky when the snowmen started dying and red food coloring was used to make a more dramatic effect. The party wrapped up and a couple of us decided to go into town. Why come all the way to Fremont and not check out the sights.
On our way home, we came across something that only can be pulled off in Fremont. As we were leaving from dinner we noticed the search lights in the sky and wondered what was demanding everyone's attention in Fremont on a Sunday night! Oh we found out...a LIVE nativity scene. The best part it was a DRIVE-THRU LIVE NATIVITY SCENE! The shepherds or friends of Jesus gladly took our donations and we got to witness something Im sure others have not. Everyone was there. Mary, Joseph, LIVE sheep, shepherds, etc and of course the man of the hour..Baby Jesus! My passengers wanted to go through again but being from a small town I didn't want to become someone's gossip as the girl who repeatedly drove through the LIVE nativity scene. I think I showed everyone a good time and I'm sure they wont forget the time they went to Fremont and saw the DRIVE-THRU LIVE NATIVITY SCENE.

Now starring Jasmine

I have this belief that Jasmine needs to have a pair of boots for the winter. It pains me to see her get snow caught in between her paws and it also pains when she tries to bite me when I clean them out. I'm pretty sure she has a Code red level of cabin fever from not being able to spend long periods of time outside. Sure she goes out every five minutes to control her crack addition (really its snow but when she comes in she has a line of white stuff on her nose and it looks like she has been doing lines of cocaine with other neighborhood dogs), but that only adds up to like 2 hours in a 24 hour period (my math is probably way off but you get the point).
I was looking online yesterday and saw that local stores actually carry them. I stopped on my way home last night and found a pair. They look like little baby mittens but they are made out of rubber and have a velcro strap around them. I was so excited to get them home and try them on Jasmine. I was even more excited because I thought I was getting a good deal. The package contained 2-pairs, 4 boots total and I thought the other two were for "just in case". I then quickly awoke from my severe blond moment seizure and paid the crazy cat lady and left.
When I got home I was really surprised how Jasmine didn't fight against having these strange objects put on her feet. I told her to stand up, and the show began! It was probably one of the funniest walks I have ever seen her do. She was trotting similar to a horse. For some reason they kept coming off, but she was such a good sport about it. Im sure she might just get used to them but its a good laugh until then. My other idea involves trash bags and duct tape. I could be on to something!

Sea of Festive Vests

We had our campus Holiday Open House yesterday. It was open for all faculty/staff and they were going to have food, music, etc. My boss allowed Janet and I to go first and then when we got back she would go. I was glad to see my friend Jill there because that meant I didn't have to sit with Janet. I "accidentally" lost her going through the line and tried to hide from her when we sat down. The room was packed and as I was looking around I had noticed that most of the woman had dressed for the occasion. I lost count of the vests they were wearing decorated with reindeer, snowflakes, Christmas trees, Santa's, etc. I don't want to offend anyone who wears these vests, but I was just amazed by the shear number of people wearing them. Okay, I will make fun of them because they can be ridiculous sometimes. What happened to a red shirt with a small "festive" pin? I kind of felt out of place, but knew in my heart I would not try to fit in next time by wearing a loud vest. I remember Janet mentioning the day before that she will have to wear something "festive" to the party. I had no idea how many others felt the need to get dressed up as well.
Everyone had also been raving about the food and how they couldn't wait to see what they would be serving. Then they started reminiscing about past Holiday parties and how good the ham salad was that year. When we got there it was interesting to see people flock to the food like they had never been given free food before. I really wasn't that interested and added some things to plate so maybe the next year I can add "Did you try a roll last year? They were to die for!" I decided to leave sooner than planned because I thought I would have more fun sitting at my desk. I grabbed a couple of things from the dessert table to give to the workstudy who had stayed for us while we went. I felt kind of silly walking right past the chancellor with a plate of treats trying not to make eye contact.
I got back to the office and offered my goodies to the workstudy. My boss was walking out of the office and said "Oh, I'm surprised they let you leave with anything. They said this year Nothing could be taken out." At that moment I wanted to return to the party and had the plate back to the chancellor and offer up Janet as a sacrifice. I instead asked the workstudy if she would support me if I lost my joy since I was taking the treats to her. I don't think she was willing to do that. I can be expensive!
I wonder if I will be invited nest year?

White Trash Christmas

What a weekend which is cascading over into this week!
Saturday I did pretty much nothing. Between the freak snow storm we got morning and previous week kicking me in the butt, I pretending I was a rag that had been reincarnated. My mom finally got me to shower by going to the store for her. We got in the mood to make sugar cookies and plus only having a expired lasagna in the freezer or leftover Thanksgiving food, this was going to required a trip to the store.
I came back and we fixed dinner and started to make the sugar cookies. Not thinking of the steps ahead, we quickly realized that we didn't have any cookie cutters. An easy solution would be to cut out your own shapes...well easier said than done. My mom did find a couple cookies cutters. One being a cut out that looks like a housewife and the other being a stop sign. This is were the white trash-ness (well the first example) comes into play. We also found using measuring cups would work too. You could make snowballs, ornaments, snowmen (or woman), etc. I did a couple of freehand ones but I'm not going to quit my day job. The best one was a little sqwigily one that when I asked my mom she said it was a "Christmas Worm." Think the cold medicine was getting to her.
Being too tired to frost them at 1 am, we thought we would leave them to the next day. So the next night we started getting everything ready. Well then my mom found the source of the smell we had been having in our kitchen. I had noticed it the other day but brushed it off as, no more Tacobell for him! My mom looked under the sink to find one of the containers of cleaning supplies was half full of ROTTING water. When she pulled it out, I swear it was like opening a sewer! The upstairs quickly filled with the smell of a used diaper factory. My mom was a trooper refusing gloves, or the rope I was going to hang myself with due to the smell. My brother walked into the house and all we could hear was "Who $&#@ their pants!!" It was really funny.
So to honor our experience and go with the Christmas theme of poop my mom turned her "Christmas Worm" into Mr. Hanky from South Park. She made red hat for him and everything. Its funny how much it really resembles him. I can guarantee that will be the last cookie left! It's going to be a wonderful White Trash Christmas at the Arthur's this year!

World AIDS day and being Super Woman

First off, if you didn't know already its World AIDS Day. Find a way to support. Make a ribbon out of something red around you and wear it today!
So we finally got a good amount of snow last night. It really didnt start until about when I was leaving for work. The roads weren't too bad but started to get more icy as I drove. I had to stop at Wal-Mart to get some food so I could wear jeans today. The chancellors board of something declared it causal day if you brought a can of food in. Why I didn't get something while I was at Wal-Mart the day before is beyond me. Also of course I had to get gas because for some reason I am always out of gas when it is butt cold outside. So here's a quick math problem for you:

Elizabeth gets into her car at 5:12 but doesn't leave the parking garage until 5:15. She then stops at Wal-mart for close to 1/2 hour and also stops for gas and takes about 10 minutes to fill up and get back on the road. She then pulls into her driveway at 7:30. How long was she on the road?

I don't care to know exactly, all I know only being able to go 35-40 MPH all the way home SUCKS! I then thought I would be too tired to start decorating the house for Christmas, something I had been looking forward to since Thanksgiving, but for some reason I had a sudden burt of energy. I cleaned the upstairs (for the most part), fed the dog and vacuumed. Then came the hard part of finding the decorations. While trying to reach a box of stuff, I managed to get myself lodged in between a chair and a desk in one of our storage rooms. I thought I would be stuck until my brother came home. I was able to get out and surprised I was able to make my leg and back do an almost 360.
I decked the house and sang along to Christmas music, it was beautiful. Jasmine just glued herself to me wondering why I was decorating her room, aka the living room. Hope all the lights I put up didn't keep her up last night. She is not fun when she is grumpy.
I then got an urge to go out and shovel the driveway and walkway to the front door. I grabbed my dads boots, because mine were in my car (I know a good place..huh!) and someone's hat and headed out. So there I was shoveling in my leopard print Pj's at 9:00pm last night. Im sure the neighbors were wondering what I was doing. Im sure its perfectly normal to shovel in your PJ's that late.
At least the house got done and it really feels more like Christmas. I just hope today I can get home before my bedtime!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas......muwah ha ha ha......I know someone who is getting coal in her stocking ;-)

No life

I am wishing it was still Thanksgiving break!
Had a good Thanksgiving, kind of stressful making my frog eye salad but I managed. I think next year we should just go to McDonalds! Spent most of the weekend worrying about the "huge" snow storm we were supposed to have Monday morning. I put my new windshield wipers on which was a accomplishment for me because I have never been able to de-code the "man language" instructions. I got done with some extra parts but they seem to work fine. I got gloves, borrowed my moms boots and made sure I had gas. Even though we didnt get what was expected it was still good practice. I just need to get one of those smaller shovels and I will be set!
I recently was exposed to the movie Dodgeball and have been hooked ever since. My brother owns the DVD so I took it from him and was watching it at least once a day over break. He finally took it away from me (I think my family had a secret intervention!) and I started to go through withdraws. Found a good deal at Target and purchased my own copy. That was close!
If you couldn't tell...I lead a very exciting life! This is going to be a long winter!

Thanksgiving Eve

Yeah there is like no one at work today...this blows! I wish I could have taken today off as well. We just have people testing in the morning and then thats it! Just Janet and I....be jealous!
Fell asleep watching Dodgeball last night...doh! I missed all the good parts. I think tonight I will switch it up and watch my Friends DVD...yes I am that spontaneous!
Excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow...but mostly just to see the ads for the sales on Friday. Not sure if I will be heading out to get some deals, just to wait to see whats out there.
Well, thats all I got for now. But I did include this "forward" like thing to put on ones blog...enjoy!


My Weird Habits
1. I am obsessed with my handwriting. I will re-write notes, that are just meant for me, like 5 times if I feel it looks bad. I also will re-write like shopping lists or other things with other peoples handwriting if I don't like theirs.
2. I cannot say the word "milk" right. I guess I pronounce it like "melk".
3. If I go somewhere to eat by myself, I HAVE to have something to read or look at. If I don't have anything I would rather sit in my car, in a empty parking lot instead.
4. I cannot stomach expired food. If I see that the expiration date as passed, even by a day, I cannot ingest it. I have tried and its a whole mind game. Gross!
5. I cannot except compliments. I never know what to say and its just awkward for me.

The Rules: The 1st player of this "game" starts with the topic "MY 5 WEIRD HABITS" and people who get tagged need to write a blog entry about their 5 weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose at least 5 people to be tagged and list their IDs. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "You are tagged" in their site and tell them to read yours.
I randomly tag, in no specific order:
1. corngrl2
2. theresa
3. susieisim
4. justin
5. Dont have a 5th, I guess I will have bad luck forever or something!

Good Start

Running late like usual today, I quickly ran out to my car that I had to park in the street last night because the car lot, that is our driveway, was full. I was sitting in the car organizing everything before heading out when all of a sudden the car alarm on my dads truck starts going off. Now, I could have A. Just drove off and pretend I left before it happened and let the whole neighborhood wake up or B. Run inside and try and find the keys to shut it off. I choose to run inside because I knew my mom was still in the shower and my dad might not have been awoken by it. Reaching my parents door my mom opened and I panicked trying to get the words out. "The alarm is going off!" I blurted. "On my car?!" she replied back. By this time my dad had been awakened by us yelling and the alarm on the truck still honking away. All of a sudden it stopped on its own. I left them to solve the mystery and ran out the door. I'm sure all the neighbors got a nice wake-up call from us. Maybe it was a squirrel or a ghost. My luck, it was someone trying to break into my dads truck and as I ran inside leaving my car running, in the street, with the door standing open, they would just have taken my car instead. Who knows!
I was hoping for smoother morning than yesterday. I missed my cup holder and dropped my freshly opened, can of pop on the floor, drivers side of course. Luckily I was wearing black pants.
Also, got my DVD player working again! Finally could watch Dodge Ball without having to beg my brother to use his TV/DVD/Room. So in love with that movie right now!!

2 down, 1 more to go

Happy Monday! GRRRR
Kept pretty busy this weekend. Spent Friday in Lincoln which was fun. Took a friend to see an apartment she was interested in renting. I liked how open the landlord was telling about the crazy man who didn't even live in the building, who came in and lit the stairwell on fire trying to kill all the babies in the building. Or about the drunk guy, who is nicer the more he drinks, and how he's been off the "sauce" for two months. Good times! It was a pretty cool apartment though...but best of luck on that one. I also got to see Harry Potter and it was actually really good. The bathtub scene was a little awkward but still funny.
I wanted to give a shout out to Mattie for having a AWESOME Thanksgiving dinner at his apartment. He did pretty much everything and it rocked. Hope we weren't too out of control at the rowdy table! Hey, did you find the wine bottle yet? There was something inside for you!
Did a little shopping afterwards and had dinner at Sushi Ishibon ( I know I murdered that probably, but Im too lazy to look it up) and it was fantastic. Highly recommend! Topped the night off with a trip to Super Target. I know, its a little crazy for 9 o'clock on a Saturday night but hey, I'm only young once! I did leave winning the contest of who could spend the least! Glad my bottle of Arbor Mist didn't break me!
Had my second of three Thanksgiving dinners on Sunday. It was nice to see a section of the family tree being represented! Had some good laughs and leftover Arbor Mist!
Really hard to get up this morning but just knowing that it's technically already Wednesday, I guess I could make it.
Insider tip: Wal-mart is going to have digital HP camera's for $88 on Friday! Good luck!

Attack of allergies

Had a major attack of allergies yesterday. I woke up and I couldn't stop sneezing and having to blow my nose. Trust me its not fun when both happen while youre blow drying your hair! I took some pills but they didn't seem to help. I thought that over lunch I would stop at Walgreens and buy the entire store so I could help people without sneezing all over them. I quickly realized that I had forgotten my debit card, had only a couple of dollars on me and a checkbook that is only accepted at certain locations. Luckily they took my check so I could at least get something for lunch.
I returned with a $10 box of medicine (and that was the generic kind!) and some good kleenex's, not that crappy, cheap kind offices supply. It got a little better but I was questioning the whole "non-drowsy" claim. I even asked the pharmacist because I needed something that wouldn't cause me to fall asleep at my desk or cause me to drool uncontrollably and suddenly lack the skill to form complete sentences. I managed to make it 5 minutes from home when I got stopped by a stupid train. So I was able to close my eyes for a few minutes waiting for it to pass. I got home and I played with Jasmine for a minute or two, fed her and let her outside and I was in bed by 7:30 pm. I was awoken by my brother, who scared the crap out of me first of all, wanting me to buy a $20 discount card. He must of seen the condition I was in and decided to try and hit me up while I was down. I was able to fend him and even got him to turn off my TV for me. My dad came home sometime after that and shut my light off for me. I was lacking the power to lift my head so it was good the frat boys took care of me!
I really could have slept longer this morning but all my symptoms were cured. Not sure if was the fact I went through the house throwing all plants out into the cold (just kidding Mom, I could see her face getting angry as I wrote that!). I did throw the grass clippings out Mom, sorry! I will get you new ones!
But it's my Friday...vay-cay for me tomorrow! Excited! Hopefully I won't have another attack tomorrow!

Don't leave home without a spare

Last Friday my boss came out and said that Janet and I could go head out a little early. I took her up on the offer, it being Friday and all and the fact I was slowly feeling more and more like crap. I got in my car and started leaving the parking garage. I noticed the car felt a little funny so I pulled over into a cleared out part of the garage and got out to discover a very flat tire. Trying to make my self not believe what I was seeing by blinking harder, I found myself staring at an ever flat tire. No problem I thought, I have changed them in the past in worse conditions, this will be easy. Opening the trunk I look in to find no spare tire! Seriously...it can only happen to me! Long story short, my brother had to bring my spare tire to me (which was sitting our garage...don't ask because I don't know why it was there either!) and change it for me. My bad luck continued to the following morning to find the spare had gone flat as well...again what are the odds. Still feeling like crap I kind of forgot about going to fix it. Luckily Wal-mart is open on Sunday's and she got fixed. There was more drama involved in my little tale but I will save that for my memoir.
I survived my first snow storm commute this morning! Yeah, those are going to blow! It wasn't too bad and I'm sure I haven't seen nothing yet. Better start saving those vacation days.

Mother Arthur

Went last night to pick up my mom at the airport. I really should have thought about my outfit before I left but wearing my Pj's and flip flops that didn't match is perfect attire for the Omaha airport at 10pm. My mom was hungry so we stopped at Popeye's. I thought it was funny that she asked for salt and pepper and then as she was driving I offered to prepare her dinner...

me: Do you want me to put salt and pepper on this for you?
mom: Just the salt.
me: Then why did you ask for salt and pepper?
mom: I always ask for both but I only use the salt. It just sounds better asking for both.
Whatever works for you.

Then we got home and my mom got out the present she got for my brother. I look and its the Cardinal Red shoes (or whatever the name is) cheerleading squad. To Billy I read and see that various girls had signed it for them.
me: Where did you get this?
mom: They were just at this party. (which now thinking about I should have questioned this party!)
me: So you went around and asked for autographs from cheerleaders for your son.
mom: yeah (laughs)
me: You know that I am going to have to blog about this tomorrow.
mom: (laughs more)

Even though I had already drove to Omaha and then to Fremont and then back to Omaha when I had to get up early and go to work today still feeling like pooooo...its always nice to have my mom home again! Welcome back!

second, but important post!

Okay...had to post again today because I just found something really hilarious! I was looking at www.journalstar.com (the Lincoln, NE paper) and was reading about the new mall renovation and how people were being trampled. The article is pretty funny but click on the part that says Graphic: Timeline and keep clicking play. The last animation is the best. I won't spoil it for all of you....highly recommend checking it out!
okay...I think I'm done for the day but you never know!

Still standing

Oh what a crazy couple of days since the last post. I will get everyone up to speed:
1. Work has been extra crazy. I guess we are making up for not being busy ALL summer; hence the lapse in blog postings.
2. Had a brush of death the other day. I went to Arby's on like 43rd and Dodge for lunch. I kind of debated to go in and eat but my fear of eating alone without anything to read (explanation-another day, another blog) so I choose to just hit up the drive-thru. Well that night I was watching the news and I guess an older gentleman BACKED into the Arby's during the LUNCH hour. They said no one was hurt which was good. But knowing my luck I would have choose the early death seat. That was a close one....
3. Had a minor panic attack on Sunday at the golf course. Can't really explain why but it was no fun.
4. Think that I am getting a cold from my dad. I just have that icky border line sick feeling and no matter how high the heater in my car was this morning I couldn't get warm....grrrr to illness.
5. My mom comes home tonight and I still haven't cleaned up the the plant Jasmine knocked over, okay I did it but its hard to get the dirt out of a stereo and carpet...doh! Luckily my Grandma knows how to fix plants and she is operating on it today!
I think that's all the news I got right now. Happy Thursday!

Tech Support solutions

My boss was telling me about a test center that was having difficulties recently with a computer based test. She said that when it came up on the computer everything was upside down. The following is how I image the call to tech support went and their ACTUAL solution:

Test center: Yeah, we are giving a test and when it came up on the screen, everything is upside down.
Tech support: (short pause) what...I'm sorry, did you say upside down?
Test center: Yes, everything on the screen is upside down.
Tech support: So it's showing on the monitor but just upside down?
Test center: yes
Tech support: I'm going to have to put you on hold and ask about this....(comes back) Okay I asked about it and we have an idea for you to try. (The following is their actual solution) We would like you to just turn the monitor upside down.
Test center: (short pause) Turn the monitor upside down?
Tech support: Yes, so that way the test can still be given and we can work on the problem.

In the end they were unable to test the examinee...imagine that! I just kept thinking that you know, somewhere, they were getting paid $15.00+ an hour and thats the solution they came up with. This is why I dislike calling tech support. I would have counter-suggested that the examinee just stand on his head through the test.

The Greek letters go up!

Sorry for the lapse in entries...it has been one crazy week! My mom left for CO on Tuesday and before I knew it the Frat house had reopened. My proof:

Brother walks into dining room with a bottle of Hershey syrup in one hand and a glass

of milk in the other hand. He tilts his head back and takes a shot of Hershey syrup from the bottle and then takes a drink of milk. He then starts shaking his head from side to side. "Chocolate milk" he says.

I have seen this on TV before but theres' nothing like it when I hits home! Luckily, she comes home tonight only to leave again tomorrow. So I will have to run home and pick up the beer cans out of the lawn and hide the empty kegs. Nothing like testing how many pizza boxes can fit into the trashcan without spilling over on a Friday night.

Where do I begin...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Trying to get back into the swing of things since being on vacation...it was worth it though! I will relive the high points for you:
1. Had a very important meeting on Thursday and was able to get all of my debit taken care of! It took so much weight off my shoulders and I have been reborn!
2. Got to go to Lincoln all day on Friday...very fun! Except I had a hornet in the back of my car so I spent the drive down there pressed against my steering wheel. I had to stop twice, the first time using De-icer only to make the bee a SUPER HORNET with magical powers against death. It finally took Lesley to kill it...thank you again for risking your life against the hornet who WOULDNT die! Had fun hanging out with some friends I haven't seen FOREVER! Thought I was going to have to call it a short night because I lost my debit card only to find it seconds after calling it in 'lost." Thanks to some fast dialing I was able to reverse the cancellation process and my card was as good as new!
3. Saturday was pretty boring...I think my major accomplishment was getting up before noon!
4. Sunday was more boring than Saturday...took a nice nap. My mom and I did venture to Wal-Mart in Omaha for some deals. I found a costume for jasmine, Snow White, but when I got home I realized it was a small and she would have to lose like 30 lbs to fit. She wasn't up for the over night challenge so I guess I will have to return it.
That's all I got for now...

It's my Friday...ha ha!

So looking forward to my two days off starting tomorrow. It's the first time I am taking some vacation time so it will be nice! Don't have too much planned but would like to squeeze in one more trip to Vala's if possible...any takers?!? I just have to get it out of my system. Not much else to report. My dad was able to fix our dryer so we don't have to take our clothes over to the grandparents this week...so relieved.
I thought I would leave you with a couple of pictures of Jasmine...they didn't turn out the best but it still works.

All that the light touches is hers! This is her looking out over the cliff that is across from our house.


This is her in the "back trail" at the golf course by our house. If I ever come across a dead body this is where I will find it. I wish I had a black and white camera because it would have come out a lot better.

Hope you enjoyed!

The fear of radio

Not sure why but I have a fear of calling into radio stations. Stupid I know. The radio station I listen to has an all request hour during at which time I am driving home. I even stored the number in my cell phone, just in case. I always want to call and it and ask them to play the song I am craving that afternoon. Not sure what stops me from doing so but I never call in. Maybe I don't want to sound stupid or maybe I will figure what I want to hear and become one of those conversations they reply and make fun of.
Well this morning something got into me. The conversation was about how McDonald's plans to redecorate a large number of stores into a more "elegant" feeling. The plans would include water fountain, fire places, etc. Someone called in and was talking about the old 3-in-1 McDonald's in Lincoln and was getting it all wrong. Some great force inside me, grabbed my phone and dialed. It was busy but I kept on trying. Finally I got through and was put on hold. I started getting more nervous. Then someone picked up my call and there I was talking to the morning show crew. It was weird. I just blurted out what I knew and they laughed and commented about some other stuff I cant remember. He thanked me for calling and that was it. I turned on radio back up and realized that they were in the middle of a song. Maybe they will use it later I thought. I got closer and closer to work and still nothing. Not sure if they ever played. I was hitting myself for not putting one of my mini portable $1 radios in my car. Not sure if I will be calling again but now I know I can do it!
I must have still been shaky when I got out of my car because I set my open pop can on the top of my car and when I went to grab it I semi dropped it but enough movement to spill half of it down the side of my car and various large spots on my pants! I guess I am just going to have to wear a trash bag everywhere.

Turning into a pumpkin

Still trying to recover with my boss from the boo boo I made on Friday. I'm sure I could have done worse and I think the weekend helped simmer the pot from a close to raging boil.
Got to go to Vala's again!! So happy! I think next year I will have to get the season pass and I can go all the time. I went with my aunt and three younger cousins. Even though the temp was only like between 35-40 degrees it was still fun. I think we did more than last time I went so maybe they changed it on me...sneaky! The mud factor kind of sucked because I almost feel a couple times...that would have not been embarrasing at all! That night we were invited to a pumpkin carving party out at someones cabin. I almost decided to continue my nap and not go but I went. It was pretty fun. I got my cousin to clean out my pumpkin for me so I didnt have to take off my gloves. I figured I have 5 more pumpkins (okay I found a really good deal at Wal-mart and I cant stop buying them!) at home so I will have a chance to clean the guts sooner or later. The bom-fire (not sure on the spelling..not a real big camper) was awesome since the temperature was begining to drop again.
In unrelated pumpkin news, my mom left for Alaska today. I think she said its been like 6 weeks that she has been home...new record! But she is now traveling until Thanksgiving. I guess I will have to put the greek letters back up on the house because the frat house will be starting up again. Living with two boys is very interesting...we will leave it at that.
Quick side note: Eating a salad in a car is not such a good idea. One could accidently bump it and have dressing laced lettuce fall down the side of ones body. Not saying this happened to me...okay it did and I totally smelled like salad dressing for the rest of the day!

Just call me TROUBLE

Started my day off by somehow knocking one of the shelves on the inside of the fridge door off and having a glass jar of mayo crash on my foot! Always fun to have happen when your eyes aren't even open yet. Then to make the day start off even better a migraine quickly developed. I did however get some excedrin on break so I know owe my second born child to the makers of excedrin (If you are wondering how gets my first, that is another day another blog!).
I did make a pretty big mistake at work and lets just say my boss wasn't to thrilled. Don't really want to go into details because the Chancellor might be involved and a bunch of goooo! Hopefully things will settle over the weekend...fingers crossed. Quick advice however: If you are unsure just say NO!
I think the plan this weekend will be to just lock myself in my room and try to stay out of trouble. Looking forward to next week because I only have to work 3 of the 5 days....gotta love paid vacations!
Have a great weekend!

Quick fixes for a BAD day

(continued...wink wink)
So after having an extremely bad day I was excited to hear that my mom suggest that I pick up Panera for her and myself on the way home. Panera is a happy place, very relaxing and stress free. I stepped up to the counter and began to order what I have been longing for only to hear in the background "The only thing we are out of is the Fontega Chicken...". My hope sank and that ball in my stomach started to cramp up again, like it had done all day. Of course, the one thing that would have helped my dad, they were out of. I make another choice just wanting to leave the city of despair and return home.
I got into my car and I could only think of one thing that would help turn this day around. I needed to listen to some relaxing music. Something without commercials or annoying DJ's trying to make stupid jokes. I grabbed my CD case knowing exactly what would help...my Christmas CD's. I popped in my NOW Christmas CD with old school songs/singers and almost immediately my spirits were lifted. Thoughts of chesnuts roasting on an open fire, jingle bells and knowing santa Claus would be coming to town filled my head. I almost wished it would have started snowing and someone would already have Christmas lights up on their house. If you are into Christmas music, I encourage you to listen to it when its "out of season." You don't have the season stress quite yet and you are able to better enjoy the songs.
By the time I got home the red glow coming from my eyes had gone away and thoughts of Janet* had left me completely. I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my mom and retired to my room to top off the night with a showing of Mary Poppins. My parents were nice enough to rent it for me the other night and there is nothing better at the end of a bad day hearing:
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

* I had some help coming up with a name a little less obvious! thanks Joelle!

Off my Vala high

I am off my Vala's high and starting to readjust to my regular world without pirates and pumpkins. I got kind of carried away yesterday and I apologize.
I did find out that I have a stalker. Meryl asked me yesterday if I went to Vala's (promise that is the last time I will mention it again...at least for today) on Sunday. I said yes and she then goes "was it around 4:12pm?" I think I stared at her for a moment and was amazed that she had noted the exact time. I guess she saw me turn in as she was coming from her daughters house. It was just freaky.
My boss came out yesterday and said she had some bad news. Our caller ID screen on our phones has the time as being 5 minutes ahead. It sucks in the morning because when you are actually on time, it makes your 5 minutes late. But in the the afternoon it rocks because you get to leave 5 minutes early...it helps if you are commuting! So anyway...she said that we have to start going by the wall clock, so we had to stay an extra 5 minutes yesterday. When you have nothing to do all day, its torture!
I did have to stop again at Wal-mart yesterday (hence the poll) to get some pumpkins for my grandparents. It was the end of the stock this time. I had to basically crawl into the container, not fun in work clothes. Plus my flip flops kept sliding on the floor. There was a couple times I thought I would be going in head first.
Hoping today will start to pick up...I think I have done everything I can already...doh!

If you build it...

Update: My dad was awesome and brought me a spare key to my car on Friday. Thank you for all the concerns. All ended well!
Had an AWESOME time at Vala's on Sunday. There was probably at least 500+ people there. The lines went pretty fast and we got to do a lot of stuff. I had to get into my map (if you have ever seen the Friends episode where they are in London and Joey has a pop-up map he "steps" into to figure out where to go) and figure out where to go. I didn't figure out until the end of the day how to correctly read the map. I couldn't figure out why they would put like D7 as the location when on the map there were only single letters and numbers. Two or three hours later, I see the bars on the top and side. Totally need a refresher in map reading! The haunted house was a little scary. Wasn't expecting real people to be in there jumping out. The pirate maze was harder than expected but we made it out alive. We decided to get some food at the "Pirate bar and grub" (not sure that's the correct name, but just along with it) and ate on wooden ship. There were all these little kids around pretending to be pirates, it was really funny. There was this one little girl who was telling us she was giving the pirate cut outs kisses and she accidentally kissed one of them on the crotch. She thought it was sooo funny and we couldn't believe she was telling us this story. I guess kids will really say anything!
The real exciting part was losing my car when I went to leave. Do you know how hard it is to find a black car in a dark corn field? I do! I was seriously looking for 10 minutes. I envied the people with those buttons that lock/unlock their cars. It's easy to find a car when the lights and or alarm is going off. Luckily I found my car and all was good. I think I had a layer of dirt caked on my shoes. Feel sorry for the persons who wore flip flops.
All in all it was very fun! I am so up for going again if anyone is interested! Until next time...

bad start

Already today I have:
1. Managed to wear a lint attracting shirt. Who would have thought an innocent black t-shirt could become a magnet for fuzz!
2. While putting on my coat after I got out of my car, I managed to leave my bag and purse, with my keys inside, sitting on my seat. I then allowed the door to close just enough to lock. Of course to top it off, my shoes were also in my bag so I have to work in flip flops until I can get into my car. So I all I walked into the office with this morning is my can of pop and my jean jacket.
I guess I better slow down drinking my pop, because unless I can get my car open it will be the only thing I have today!

Bored

This perfectly describes my day (if a more funny way!):
http://www.despair.com/problems.html

Same old, same old. Just waiting for 5 o'clock! If you are as bored as I am or you haven't already...check out this site:
http://postsecret.blogspot.com

Peace out...

weakends at my house...

Kept pretty busy this weekend. Did some shopping with my mom, found a couple of good deals. Had my grandparents over for brunch, always nice! Then I was walking Jasmine down at the golf course when my mom came driving down the hill saying something was wrong with my Grandma and she had to go over to their house. I took Jasmine home and waited for my mom to call. She finally called and said that they were taking her to the emergency room.
They would only let my mom go back so there I was again waiting in the ER waiting room. I played on the computer checking out the history and seeing what other people had been looking at. Naughty stuff! No good!
It was getting closer to 9pm (Desperate Housewives!) and the only other woman in the waiting room skipped that show and was watching something stupid. I found another TV in the kids section and spent the next hour sitting in a chair meant for a 5 year old. She ended up staying the night and hopefully will be going home tomorrow.
My mom and I headed home and began where we left off 3 hours earlier...making dinner. I thought I would help and lite the grill...never do that again. Quick lesson: Throw the lit match in THEN turn on the gas! So glad I have the hair on my head to tell this story.
Today has been way crazy! I am A. going through menopause that the age of 24 or B. They have the HEAT turned up WAY too much! Not sure if a person can have like 400 hot flashes in one day! I guess it comes with the territory of being a monday!

Perfect!

This was in last Sunday's paper and I have been forgeting to mention it. Worth checking out!
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20051002.html

I went to an conference today for secretaries and support staff. It was somewhat interesting but hard to sit thru ALL day! I was wishing I didn't sit with a bunch of people from the same place I work at so I could have sneaked out early. I think I was the youngest person there. All the woman talked about at my table was their kids, pregnancy and hot flashes. It was awesome...not! It was worth it to not have to be around meryl for an entire day.

That's all I got for now...have a wonderful weekend!

Found!

Yesterday I found myself without my cell phone again. I thought I forgot it home again and vowed to sew it to my face last night so I wouldn't forget it again. I got home after dark and was trying to get a million things done before having to start the day over again. While letting Jasmine out I was grabbing all the stuff out of my car from the day. I had a McDonalds sack that had been collecting trash for a couple days and it was time to dump. I threw the bag in the trash can and ran because there was one nasty FUNK coming from it.
I was talking to my brother a little bit later (I guess I broke my no talking policy already...dang!) and saw his phone sitting on the table. It reminded me that I hadn't seen my phone yet. I grabbed his phone and called my phone but no such luck since it went straight to voicemail. Stupid dead battery. I got to thinking it had to be in my car somewhere. I grabbed a coat and a flashlight and began the search. For some reason, I got a feeling I should look in the trash. I was regretting not checking the bag before I threw it in the trash. I stood outside for a bit trying to decided if I actually wanted to go dumpster diving or just hope I somehow will find it inside. I choose to dumpster dive (awe reminds me of college!).
Trying not to gag on the stench, I stood leaned over the can and went diving. There wasn't much in the trash can, so of course the sack was all the way on the bottom. I finally got it and began digging threw the bag. Guess what...it was in the bag! It was luck that I decided to check the trash can. I hosed it down with Lysol and vowed never to misplace it again.
Today, however, I was going to break and went to grab my cell phone and guess what...NOT THERE. If I have to go dumpster diving again...

Conversation of the year!

The following was a conversation I had with Meryl earlier this morning.

Meryl: My daughter is having real trouble with her step-daughter. All she wants or does is sleep, party and have sex. I'm serious she is so promiscuous. I don't know why she feels she has to sleep with everyone. I think it might be genetic. Where else would she learn to be like that.
me: Maybe its a emotional need. Maybe she is not getting the attention or love and has found other ways to fulfill those needs.
Meryl: I don't know. She is adopted so when she does stuff like this we say she must have got it from her biological mother. (side comment: Like that's freakin possible!)

yes, these words actually came out of her mouth. I was trying sooo hard not to laugh. I can't believe these are the things she decides to share with me...

taking over

MUOWAHA HA AH (evil laugh here)...I've taken over your site again! What are you going to do????? Hmmmm....i wonder if i can find those pics of you before rehab??? :-P

better watch out-i could strike at any time...and could i interest you in a tax free loan from korea??

Yesterday/Today

So yesterday I probably spent 80% of my day on the phone with tech support. Trust me, not as fun as it sounds. I lost track of the number of times I was put on hold and was subject to 80's love ballads. Once again, not as fun as one would think.
Since my car was beyond the limit for needing an oil change I road tripped over to the new Wal-mart on Maple and dropped off my car to get an oil change. (Quick side note: Not sure they even changed my oil! I didn't even get ones of those little stickers to tell you when to bring it in again. So I guess they expect me to do the math myself..hookers!) I thought I would drop off my film as well while I wait and make it a two and one stop. Of course the photo machine was "broken" so I got shot down. I made Lora "walk" through Wal-mart with me via cell phone. We decided to take a bathroom break and join up again. Never heard back from her. Hope everything went okay!
I found the coolest shoes but couldn't bring myself to buy them. They were high heeled shoes with a clear plastic bottom (think of stripper shoes) and they LIT UP! They were WAY cooler than my light up flip flops! They were close to $20 and couldn't buy them. If I can figure out a costume for Halloween that I can incorporate those shoes, I WILL buy them.
I went home and watched Laguna...still awesome! My brother came home and said that he needed to talk to me about something. Out of no where he says I have to stop giving him a hard time for hanging out with his girlfriend. This was out of no where. I hadn't made any comments all day. So I have decided to reinstate the NO TALKING TO BILLY policy. This will be easy since I never see him because he is out with his girlfriend all the time. Okay, that one slipped. No more comments about the lack of time he spends with his family. It's just too hard to stop!

Updates: post #2

Since I am completely bored and I thought I could bore everyone else as well...I'm posting again today.
Notes:
1. In the past 24 hours I have lost:

• my debit card
• my cell phone
• my garage pass
• my book I read on breaks

2. I have gotten in trouble for the following (so far, I still have an hour and some left):

• not putting the "Today is Casual day" sign up
• giving out too many informational bulletins
• writing the GMAT reminder post-it note in black ink instead of red ("we can see it better")
• not being able to be two places at once
• not knowing where she HIDES the secure envelope for a certain test

3. Had to break down and talk to my brother again. I think I made my point!

4. Tomorrow is my 6 month anniversary at the testing center. I am registered at Target.

I think that's all I got...never know...back to work (that includes you!)

Smooth sailing so far

It is a much better day today! I had an awesome evaluation yesterday and it totally made my day! I didn't get to talk about my meryl situation but it just felt like the wrong time. I don't really know how to explain it. I probably should have but I was so pleased with my evaluation I didn't want to bring down the party.
It's actually kind of funny how meryl and I are getting along today. She showed me pictures of her new kitchen and we talked about a few things I didn't get the usual feeling to slap her, it was nice. Hope we can keep it up, that way my hair won't continue to come out in clumps!
It was a real brisk morning today! I was getting ready and my mom said that the car windows have frost on them and I should go start my car. Unfortunately she turned down my request to do it for me because she didn't have shoes on! So I ran out in my tank top because funny enough my shirt was in my car. It's always nice to have a warm car waiting for you!
I get to go to an office products show today...I can tell how you all are! Office Depot runs it, and according to meryl there are "cool prizes" like office chairs and such. Can't wait!

p.s dooce.com is REALLY good today (well I guess it was yesterday's post)!

We need more 3-day weekends

Had an AWESOME time out with the girls on Saturday night! It was so nice to be out with everyone. I think I am still recovering today, totally wish this was a three day weekend.
I was "well" enough last night to see the Desperate housewives premiere. Still an awesome show!
I have been trying to catch up on all the news that happened over the weekend. I feel I was out of the loop because I didn't check cnn.com or people.com for two days. Demi and Ashton got married, new developments in the Halloway case, Rita damage, Paris H and Paris are still getting married...you know all the important stuff. Meryl has been trying to make small talk all morning so it has been cutting into my web surfing time!
Update on my shower injury: The calendars had to be restarted this weekend because I almost died in the shower on Saturday. I lost my balance and almost fell and somehow cut my arm open on a shampoo bottle cap. Seriously, don't ask me how I did it. These things just happen to me. But today its all bruised and the cut is pretty evident. I guess I will have to put those rubber things on the floor.
Hope everyone had an awesome weekend. I am going to go back to pretending to care what Meryl is talking about.

Flashback

Since the week has been dragging on for what seems like forever, I have been left with quite a bit of time at work to go online. I think I have been on pretty much every site (that is allowed!) and then some. I pretty much switch back and forth between cnn.com, msn.com, ftrib.com, usatoday.com, msnbc.com, weather.com...etc. So in other words I stay pretty well informed.
Yesterday I was doing my daily rounds of the websites and was on cnn.com for like the 10th time that day and decided to read a story about how PJ pants are all the "rage" right now for students to wear to school. Didn't think the story was real news worthy but I read it anyway out of pure boredom. It just talked about how students are getting lazier and wearing PJ bottoms to school and how people are "concerned." I reluctantly finished the article and had a bad flashback.
There I was in elementary school wear PJ's to school and being the ONLY one! Let's backtrack for a second. At my elementary school we had 'Book and Bag' days were everyone would bring a sleeping bag and a snack and we would lay around all day reading (I can see Lora drooling right now). Well, the day before were were going to have one, a group of girls (myself included) BEGGED our teacher to say it was okay for us to wear our PJ's the next day. It took her awhile, but she finally agreed. Everyone PROMISED they would wear them the next day. I went home and, who knows why, picked out my one piece, pink pair with cats on it to wear the next day. My parents weren't going to let me wear them stating, I could be the only one that wears them. I continued to argue and fight until I think they gave up and let me go to school in my pink cat PJ's. As luck would have it, I was the ONLY one who wore their PJ's. I think I made it worse by wearing a one-piece PJ suit with cats on it. I just remember having an assembly that day and they made me sit in a chair in the middle of the gym while all the other kids sat on the floor.
I guess it had to be a lesson learned. I told my parents about it and of course they starting laughing, also remembering that day as good as I did. I told them I must have been ahead of my time. But I learned two things: Always make your kids take an extra set of clothes when they are "experimenting" and also LISTEN to your parents. I guess they really do know what they are talking about!

I have come back from the dark side!

All is fine in the land of Gigs. Had a couple of stressful/bad days, but everyone has them, and I'm glad I got mine out of the way for the month!
I am sooo looking forward to this weekend! It will be so nice to hang out with all the girls! I got a new outfit because I had to do some retail therapy (see Tuesday) earlier this week, so that's always exciting!
Not much else going on. My mom is getting better everyday and not having to be on her oxygen as much anymore.
Maybe something exciting will happen this afternoon...I just wanted to get a more positive post up sense the past couple days have been kind of dark.
Bye for now....

Today

Cube Work

I sit here in a cube of thumbnails and paper
wondering my next move in my mind and my life
I wish satisfaction upon my dead marrow
hoping to find my place in this sour world
Lonely as I can be there must be something good
to rest my numb mind on in search of my heaven
I find the clear window
punch my white fist through it
smell the heavy damp air and finally breathe life


Daniel Remsen

Delayed 'Case of the Mondays'....

This morning I have already....
1. woke up on the wrong side of the bed
2. dialed the wrong number at 6:30am trying to make sure my brother was up
3. had to yell at my brother for being mean
4. been blinded by a huge fireball...aka the sun
5. passed up the opportunity to hit meryl with my car
6. argue with meryl about NOT knowing the source of the papers left in her folder. Like I would lie about not knowing who left them there!
7. try and sit at my desk without pulling my hair out in frustration

I'm sure I could go on but I will spare you all my misery...Have a Nice Day!

Having fun with Ma

having fun with Mom's extra long oxygen cord!

Yeah for me!

It's official...I went two whole weeks without overdrawing my account! Not sure how I did it, but I did. Its so nice not giving like 1/3 of my paycheck to the bank. Ha Ha, the Fremont National Bank Christmas party will not be on me this year. Suckers!
I'm trying to be a lot better with my money but its so hard. I totally fell into my old habits last night when I took my mom to Wal-Mart. It's probably one of the few places she can go with an oxygen tank and not feel out of place. I started grabbing things left and right. I fought with my mom in the cosmetic isle, like I probably did when I was younger, because I really wanted some eye firming cream and she didn't think I needed it. I was like "are you serious! Do you see the lines I have under my eyes!" She shook her head and I put it in the cart and said "I will think about it." I don't know why I do this. I know I am going to purchase it when I get up front. I think it just makes you feel better and it at least allows me to enjoy my shopping.
A billion dollars later, or at least it felt like I spent that much for what little I got, we left wal-mart. I already had urges to go to Wal-Mart again the next day(which is today!), when I officially have money in my account. I think they must put something in the ventilation system. Or maybe I am just addicted. Maybe I will write a Wal-Mart addiction self help book and audio CD's. I could introduce others to the vast other varieties of discount stores.
Chapter One: You can overcome your addiction
Chapter Two: Discover the joys of Big Lots
Chapter Three: Let "Everything's a Dollar" Store get rid of those dollar bills you have laying around.

and so on...Cant give it all away! You will have to wait for my informercial!

Bathroom chatter

To avoid the evil meryl this afternoon, I decided that I would take the mail down. I guess it's not a discussion but rather a daily chore because meryl always makes me take the mail down. It gets me out of the office so I can't complain...too much. I thought I would take a detour on the way back and stop at the restroom. I just got done cleaning the rooms, so I thought I would try and get the lysol off my hands sooner today so the smell didn't stick like yesterday.
As I closed the bathroom stall door, someone two doors down goes "Are you there?" This is why I hate public bathrooms. I don't like to hold conversations with people while people are doing their business. Just a random weird fact about me.
I thought about answering her but then I thought maybe she was talking on her cell phone? Why people do that is beyond me! I just stood/sat in silence. I walked out and the person was still in the stall. I quickly sang Happy Birthday to myself while washing my hands (you are supposed to wash your hands for at least 30 secs and if you sing happy birthday its a fun way of knowing how long to wash your hands) and quickly started heading out the door before she got out. I wasn't fast enough and she came out holding her cell phone to her face. I knew it! I was so going to say something like "Are you talking to me?" but I am so glad I didn't. Bad moment avoided...yes!
FYI: I had to block the comments on my blog. It was getting too annoying with all the spam comments. If you are a member...comment away. If not...go Spam somewhere else!

ha ha ha ha

tee hee...i've taken over elizabeth's blog! Can i interest you in a tax free loan from our piece of crap website which will either
a) spread a virus through your computer faster than that rash you got in vegas
b) be a scam to take any and all money you have in your checking account and send it to Iceland where a very pale and drunk hairy man will be laughing in his stained boxer shorts about how many stupid americans he scammed this week
c)or will melt the world wide web, leaving us without homestarrunner.com and cnn.com-no not that...anything but that!

till next time

L

Really clean hands

Is it bad that I can still taste the Lysol on my hands? Probably is! Both Meryl and one of the workstudy girls came in today saying they didn't feel well. This is great. I think I have gone a record two weeks without feeling like pooo and now there is a new threat. I thought I would try and stop the spread today while meryl was on break. I grabbed the lysol bottle and HOSED down her desk and every door handle and file cabinet in the office I could find. So, I went a little crazy but I think I might have improved my chances of not getting sick. Not sure how I am going to get the lysol taste off my hands.
I did catch myself rocking out to Diana DeGarmo a little too hard coming back from lunch. Kind of forget that my back window is open most of the time and everything echoes when I am driving around the parking garage on my daily stocker route (long story...). Im sure a few people caught my performance. Next time, if I forget and catch someone watching/laughing at me, I will pull up next to them and ask "Got any requests?"

The mothership has returned

My mom was released from the hospital Saturday morning. I think she would have sneaked out in the middle of the night if they made her stay any longer. She didn't find it funny that I left notes on the marker board in her room that the Dr. had requested she stay an extra two days. Although I did think my pictures of Jasmine when she is sad when mom's not home and then when she's happy when my mom is home helped her get out sooner!
We had to have a company come out and set her up with all her oxygen equipment at home. The guy that came to set it up had obviously not seen a can of deodorant in a couple months. I had to sit in the other room it was so bad. It got better when he got up to leave I saw that he had been sitting on a magazine which was now soaked with booty sweat. Then he was kind enough to leave his paper towels he had been wiping his other body sweat on. I quickly located the Lysol can and hosed down the house. Before he left he goes "I'm going to stand out by my van for a second. If you wonder what I'm doing, I'm just having a smoke. There are too many cans of oxygen in the van, so we aren't allowed to smoke in the van." I'm glad he was able to follow that rule.

Thanks

I wanted to thank everyone for all the warm wishes for my mom to have a speedy recovering. I am happy to report that she is getting better and hopefully be able to come home soon!
This week has really been crazy! Anyone else feel me?
I have been dividing my time between sleeping, driving to work, working, driving back to Fremont, hanging out at the hospital, then returning home to feed jasmine and play with her, and then starting the day over again. I did get the chance to catch the new Laguna Beach (I want hair extensions!) and the Season Finale of The 70's House (Joey SHOULD have won!). A hour well spent!
Hope everyone's week is going smoothly and just think, tomorrow is the end! WHOO HOO!

Eventful

Eventful weekend...to say the least. Mom is still in the hospital and doing a little better, I think. I'm just hoping she was actually able to get some sleep last night. I wish I could have stayed home today. There is not much I can do, other than sit and watch her sleep but it still would have been nice to be with her. I probably would have taken the day off but my boss was going to be gone on vacation and I knew I couldn't leave meryl alone..I would never hear the end of it. Well I walked into work and meryl looked up and said "Go talk to Marion, she's here!" All I could think of it was a trick about her going on vacation and she choose today to fire me. My eyes must have been huge because my boss was walking out of her office, probably because she heard meryl squawking at me. She laughed a little bit, and said "I just couldn't leave you guys alone." A sigh of relief came over me. I have been called into the bosses office before and when the discussion was bad, it didn't usually start with a joke.
Come to find out, there had been a family issue and she wasn't able to start on her vacation. I immediately thought about taking the afternoon off. I decided to think about it and started working. Then meryl was like "I need to call my husband and tell him I am taking the afternoon off." She is getting new cabinets in her kitchen and she was wants to be there to watch! Are you serious! So while she sits there and watches somebody put in cabinets, I could be sitting in a hospital with my MOTHER keeping her company. What can you do though. I hope while she's not watching they put them all in backwards and leave before she notices! oppps, there goes the evil horns again. I better stop before the tail comes out too!

Just another Sunday, I thought!

First off: SPAM COMMENTS NEED TO STOP! GRRRR
Second: You will find out in a minute, but I can't have pop-ups so I can't do a spell check. I apoligize ahead of time for any spelling mistakes!

So here I sit in the hospital emergency room and they are cool enough to have internet! I should probably mention why I am here. Well as I said we have all been sick and my mom has been on a business trip all week. She came home last night and not in the best of shape. She hasn't been able to sleep and is coughing all the time. From what I remember, those were my symptoms when I had phemonia (aka The Brush of Death!) We called the "on-call" doctor and he said to take her to the ER. So here we sit and wait. They only let my dad go in with her...beavers! The ER is also full so there are people with bleeding toes and fingers just hanging out. A kid did all of a sudden faint, which was scary. His mom was freaking out. He of course got to cut in line and go in before the people with bleeding wounds.
Hopefully things go well and she won't have to stay long. My dad did just come out and give an update...We are about up to $1000.00. I guess that means they are doing tests and she is just sitting there. Gotta love HMO's....

In a week

First off, Im sure everyone has heard about the devastation in Louisiana and other states in the south, but please take a moment and try and help in someway. A prayer, volunteering, donations, ect.

To recap my week, I will sum it up in the new groups I will be forming. These groups will hold regular meetings and anyone can join. Here we go:

1. Green Tea Frappucino Addiction support group: First meeting will be held at the 114th and Dodge location to try and become more comfortable with other drink choices.
2. Starburst-Baja California version addiction support group: Can't explain but I'm sure there are others who are suffering from this terrible addiction.
3. My co-worker is Satan club: Bring stories to share...I bet I can top you!
4. Road Rage anonymous or RRA: I don't think there needs to be an explaination
5. Tired of the Dodge street construction support group: I will be starting to make signs to post about the dangers of construction during the day and work should only be done at night.
6. Self diagnosed unknown disease support group: Got some unknown disease? You will be welcomed with open arms...dont forget to bring a full body suit.
7. How to live under the same roof as your sibling(s) who are stupid 98.99% of the time support group: First agenda will be to think of a shorter name for group

Any other groups are open for suggestion.

quick side note: My mom left for a business trip on Monday and I mentioned how all of us were sick this week and she left just in time to miss it. Well, she called to say that she also came down with something on about the same time! Too crazy. I think for fun maybe I will put yellow tape around the house for when she comes home!

Need to be quarantined

Still feeling the rath of sore throat #3...gooo! Our house has turned into more of a doctor's office. My brother stayed home from work yesterday because he has a cold, my dad has a severe ear infection, and I am suffering from some unknown disease. I thought I would wake up to yellow tape wrapped around our house and we all had to be quarantined, but no luck. I could have used the sick day! Jasmine even threw up twice yesterday!
Of course my mom is out of town this week. Its funny how she has business trips when the water goes out, we have no AC and now that plague has struck our house. She must get the memo before us and it disappears before anyone else gets to read it.

Quick side note: Roseanne complete 1st season is out on DVD today! Go pick up a copy!

And that's all I got!

Bad habits are hard to break

I guess my bad habit of licking door knobs is starting to catch up with me. I awoke to another sore throat this morning. I have looking up stuff all day. I either have ovarian cancer or chronic fatigue syndrome. It's gotta be something I have been ingesting. I think it might be the Green Tea Frappucino's I have been addicted to. Doh! Had a pretty boring weekend...decided to kick it at home.
Meryl is back...she has been pretty good today but there is still 15 minutes...anything can happen! She just made the comment that she is glad she doesn't live in New Orleans because she doesn't like water. I was like okay...
Actually got to see my brother more this weekend then I probably have since the bundle of joy was brought back from the hospital. We were talking last night at dinner and he said that he would like to be a history teacher, only if he could pass the class. Trying to add some encouragement I noted that he shouldn't worry because "History has already happened so you don't have to learn anything new." Somehow that made me look more blonde...oh well!

Happy Monday everyone!

A night out with Ma

Got the news yesterday that my car was done...sweet! The real donkey show started trying to pick it up. Follow me for a second: My mom still had her company car which she drove to work yesterday freeing up her regular car. So I took my moms regular car to work yesterday and agreed to pick my mom up from work. Did I mention that she works in Blair, I work in Omaha, and we live in Fremont...yeah I know, crazy! I drove to Blair and scooped up my mom and we headed back to Omaha. We decided to stop at the clothing store Cato because she wanted to look for something to wear for casual day. Looked around and she found a few things and we went to pay. Mom complains that I won't let her buy me anything. I confess to the cashier and my mom that I haven't been able to shop lately. It's like I have no desire to buy things. The employee recommeds that I see a doctor. My mom's phone starts ringing while the cashier is ringing up her purchases. My mom then pulls out a lottery ticket and starts reading the numbers to her friend on the other end. The cashier is laughing and says "If that is a winning ticket, your not leaving the store." I start to pretend to not know this woman but my mom being to busy to pay for her things, left me take care of her transaction. The employees are laughing more, so to make sure I didn't leave looking like the crazy one I said "Okay mom, it's back to the nursing home for you." Of course my mom didn't hear me, so it wasn't as funny.
Before getting my car we stopped at a Japanese restaurant, Mt. Fuji (highly recommend!), for dinner. Had to have a Mai Tai also, I think it's a rule. Little strong and don't think I could of drank two (on a school night!). I let my pineapple chunk, drink decoration, soak too long and when I ate it I thought I was doing a shot!
Finally got my car and started heading home. Had a brush of death when a deer decided to run out in front of my car. All I could think of was Tommy Boy. Probably not good to laughing, while dodging a freaked out deer!

Fun Facts

New "Tommy goes to College" tonight! Might get to see Allen again!(see picture)
1. Jasmine is still the cutest even though she tried to run through our new $600 screen door! I bought her a bone to make sure she knew I still loved her!
2. I am on day three of not talking to my brother. He tried to take control of the laundry room on Sunday. Long story...
3.Car is being taken into the shop today so I get to drive my grandpa's old pickup. At least it has air conditioning!
4. Heard some good quotes yesterday. Won't reveal the source!
"That will make you want to rape and pillage." referring to a bottle of Southern Comfort in the Hy-Vee liquor store
"Who's leg do you have to hump to get a beer around here!" while waiting for our drinks at local establishment
5. Having a surprise birthday party for my grandpa tonight. Except everyone is getting there at different times and my grandpa will be there first. Still not sure how that one is going to work out!
6. You know when you buy a new shirt and sometimes they put that annoying sticker down the front telling what size. Well I couldn't find one of my two black t-shirts that I have already worn this morning, so I had to grab the newer one I hadn't worn yet. Well just noticed that the stupid sticker has left a mark on my shirt and I have been walking around ALL day with this gray-ish strip down the front of my shirt!

Thats all I got for now! Just seeing if I can stay awake until 5pm.

Sup G!

Saturday my dad and I had to go to Blair and pick up my moms car because my car decided to be a beaver this weekend. I went down to Lincoln to find some trouble and my car started overheating. That will be another story Im sure when I find out whats wrong with it and how much it will cost me. My mom is out of town and left her car at work, so since she wouldn't be using her car my dad took me to pick it up so I could get to work on Monday. He followed me the entire way home until he got stopped at a light in town. I got home first and let Jasmine (our dog) outside and waited in the cursed sun while she took her time sniffing the yard. My dad came around the corner and I held jasmine back so he wouldn't run over her. As he pulled up next to me he had his window down and I could hear his music. It took me a minute but it finally registered...he was listening to Snoop Dog! I thought maybe he was just listening to the radio and somehow pressed the wrong button, really wanting his NPR or Oldies station presets. Then he held up Snoop Dog's CD. "You did not buy the Snoop Dog CD!!?" I said not knowing what else to say. He started bumping his head to the beat and then flashed a "West Side" with his hand! I thought I was going to lose it.
I should have known that this might happen, because I have found him numerous times watching BET at work. His boss has also walked in when he is watching BET and just shakes his head. I think he does it to get rid of the crazy's in the liquor store. I guess I thought it was funny because for years he had made fun of my 'hip-hop' music and here he is listening to Snoop Dog and flashing gang signs! I think it would be hilarious to take him to a Snoop Dog concert. Maybe for Christmas I can get him a t-shirt. My mom is going to love that!

Quick Recap...

I'm back...sorry about the delay! Quick recap of events since I last left you:
1. Got to see Wedding Crashers, finally!
2. Got sick, with sore throat right after movie. Went and bought a new toothbrush.
3. Stayed home sick from work on Monday! Always a good time. Strep test turns up negative. Eat half of a box of popcicles to help dull the pain.
4. Stayed home again on Tuesday...too weak to work.
5. Finally got to see the first to episodes of Tommy Goes to College. Didn't find the show amazing...but was excited to see all the people I knew. p.s. Way to go Allen again on your TV debut!
6. Went back to work on Wednesday and had to play catch up. It seriously took me three times as long to do something because I was so out of it.
7. Spent time at Target with my dad after work. He wouldn't buy me the three purses I wanted. We left without buying anything...I felt incomplete.
8. Waited for my mom at Lowe's what seemed like forever. I think it was the fact that I was in "Man World" with my dad and brother. FYI: Woman have to be escorted by a man at all times.
9. Hurt my neck looking at new ceiling fans for our dining room. Found one with a remote...enough said!
10. Had dinner at Red Robin. It was all good until the insides of my stomach decided to turn inside out and I was in a fetal position for most of the night.

I now sit at work still with an upset stomach wondering if lunch would even be worth purchasing! Hope that caught everyone up and I will be more on top of my blog, I promise!

Is it hot or cold water?

First: I added a poll to my blog. Check it out, its on the right side...keep looking, you will see it! Hopefully I remember to change it everyday. If you have any good questions, let me know!

Second: I decided to help my brother celebrate his birthday yesterday. Not at first, but I gave in. I think it was the fact that he brought home the game 'Operation: Sherk Version' that he had just purchased. Not as good as Mall Madness but I thought I would give it a try. We had cake and I took pictures. I gave him my present and of course, it was broken. I guess laughing at his car window being open during the downpour yesterday didn't help my karma. He liked my gift, but I think he was just trying to be nice. Then, forgetting how we got on the subject, my brother starts telling a story....
Brother: Oh, I had to get my pee test today (note: he just started a new job and had to take a drug test.) and it was bad because when I got there I couldn't go.
Room fills with laughter and he chooses to continue story
Brother: It was bad because I think I was in there for like 15 minutes.
More laughter
Brother: They probably were wondering what I was doing in there because I had to turn on the water and I couldn't remember if it was hot or cold water made you have to pee.
Even more laughter

And that's my brother for you. Incase you were wondering, I believe he was able to pee...finally.

Last: HAPPY FRIDAY!

Happy stupid Birthday!

It's my brother's 20th birthday today and I'm still trying to decide if I want to observe this day. I love birthday's and making them special but he is making it hard today. I was all excited yesterday and I stopped at Target and returned a shirt so I would have enough money to buy him something. I was just going to get a gift card and then write in his card "I want to give you something else and I will surprise you with it next week!" or something clever like that. However, I found this thing for your car and its really hard to describe without seeing it so I won't even try. I thought I would get him it as kind of a joke but he could totally return it, no strings attached. I also got some crete paper so I could decorate his car in the morning so when he goes to leave for work he would be surprised. All excited, I drove towards home with my purchases. I got home after him and he emerged from his cave downstairs and greeted me with a grunt.
Me: Happy Birthday Eve!
Brother: (no response)
Me: Do you feel any older?
Brother: (still no response)
Me: Are you going to answer me?
Brother: Stop! You are being a hoody doody!

After our short conversation, I decided all birthday plans were to stop! I got up and walked away...GRRR to brothers. He got in the shower and I looked outside and noticed it had started to rain pretty hard. I then saw that his drivers side window was down. I had 2 options: 1. Go tell him why he is in the shower and ask where his keys are so I could go close his window. or 2. Just sit and watch as the car slowly filled up with water. I know I will be paying for it later but I choose option 2. It was actually pretty funny to hear him get out of the shower, walk to the living room and see his car sitting in a downpour with the window down. I heard him rush out the door. I knew my karma would go down, but it was still funny. Hopefully he will be in a better mood today. I should remind him he isn't a teenager anymore, sine he turned 20 today, and he should suck it up and act more like an adult! I'm sure that will help the situation.