November 2004 Archives

Sometimes I wish this little LJ wasn't totally public. Only on days when I want to expound on all the gifts I have bought. Since some of the people who read this thing are those getting the gifts, that might not be so good. "But you can set up different security measures." you say? Yeah well, I don't trust it. How do I know it will work?

Speaking of presents, my   is very smart. He knows that in my family Christmas is the time for lying. He also knows that I am sneaky when gifts are involved. So yeah, he brought my gift into the house but he had it pre-wrapped. Double wrapped infact (so he tells me). A very ticksy little Flounder indeed. So I know it's in there somewhere. I have promised not to look, but I can't say how long that will last to be honest. Did I mention Christmas was the time for lying? ;)

We have picked out our Christmas cards, and I need to starting getting the address list together. The good news here is, this list will be of great use when the wedding invites need to go out. Whoo Hoo for smarter not Harder.

Otherwise, all is well. We decorated our front window last night so in the evenings our home looks very festive. Hurrah!

Quote for the Day:
The man least dependent upon the morrow goes to meet the morrow most cheerfully.

So far returning to work after the long weekend hasn't been as bad a I expected. Then again, you never know what is coming down the pike. But I am putting on a happy face, and as Donald Southerland said in Kelly's Heros (which der_flounder and I watched last night) and I not going to "send out those negative waves, baby!"

I was quite distrought last night when I discovered I couldn't find my left over Christmas cards. Every year I buy too many and have a pile left over. I usually use different designs and match them up with the receiver, so having different cards for different years just adds to the variety. But this year (no surprising, considering the move) I can't find any cards at all in the house. Did I throw them out? Use them all up last year? I have no idea really, I will probably go buy some more today. Worst case here is I find them next year some time and used them then! So that is the high excitment for today. I am also looking forward to baking next weekend, and of course shopping for our Christmas tree. Whoo Hoo!

Quote of the Day:
At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth;
But like of each thing that in season grows.

I went and weighed in at WW. I had skipped the week before and was positive I had gained. I hadn't! Infact I lost .6. That isn't a huge loss, but when you weren't really trying to loose weight for the last two weeks, it is pretty damn good. So yay me!

While shopping online for an angel chtistmas tree topper I came across this. Who thought licensing a Barbie as Galadriel was a good idea? Yowzah!

I honestly can't remember a better Thanksgiving. It was peaceful, delicious and fun. This year Mi Mama hosted Micah, Myself, Uncle R, Aunt E, three Cousins, our good Swedish Friend AW and her parents. AW's parents were visiting from Sweden and this was their first Thanksgiving. V. Fun.

Today and I are doing house stuff and having a grand time. After I am done here, I am going to go start that stew I have been planning for a couple of weeks now. Wish me luck with that.

It looks like next weekend Micah and I will be going through the family Christmas ordiments an each taking the ones we want. I am torn about this. On one hand this step seems like a sign of real adulthood. On the other hand, it seems like the final step that truly make it clear Mi Mama's house is not my home anymore. I have been living on my own for 5 years now so this isn't really new. It just seems fat more final somehow. Strange I know. I find braking up that family decorations for more troubling than that idea of Mi Mama and Micah moving to PA as they have taked about doing lately. I guess it's all a part of growing up.

And not JUST because it took me 2 hours to get to work. The minutes are ticking by sooooo slowly. It looks like we will not be getting out early, so who know (given the traffic) what time I might get home.

Enough whining. I will spend the next few hours hitting Refresh on the Buffy Quote Generator!

Last Thursday evening, while I was sick on the couch, one of the partners in my firm dropped dead of a massive heart attack in Dulles airport while trying to catch a plane. He was only 59. While I did not know him well, his impact and his loss has certainly been felt here in the office. The sadness here really sends home the meaning of Thanksgiving, and so I thought I would take a minute to send out into cyberspace exactly what I am thankful for this year.

• Breathing. Breathing at all is great, Breathing without a stuffy nose is even better.


• Teeth. This one might sound silly, but think about how your life would be different without them.


• ! Love him. Lucky to have him. Gonna Marry him.


• Mi Mama and Micah. They have had a craptastic year and are still bouncing back. Amazing.


• The Body God gave me. I have treated it ever so poorly and it just keeps on ticking. Good Body.


• The Storybook Parents and . We joke alot about the SPs, but I couldn't be joining a more loving family and I am very lucky for that.


• My little car that just keeps running.


• The abundance that is middle class America. Christ people, we are so fortunate!


• The help that always seems to be available to me if I will just ask for it.


• Life Long Friends. They might drive you nuts now and then, but there is no tie that binds like history.

I am sure I could go on and on, but those are the big ones.

I went to the dentist this morning and it wasn't so bad. I went back to my Childhood dentist after a few years away and I have to say there is something very comforting about visiting of office of a man who knew you when you were 5 and called you Princess. Of course I have a follow-up appointment (I always do) but I honestly don't even mind. That is a good sign.

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving, crazy relatives and all. Yesterday I read this really great entry on skinnydaily.com I thought I would pass on. Now that is the way to have a sane and not over indulgent holiday meal.

I am very pleased to report that I am feeling significantly better today as well. Perhaps I will be totally well in time for the big meal.

Quote of the Day:

It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.

Moliere

After spending the last 4 days on the couch, I am ready to go back to work. I am still low on energy, but I am only left with sinus problems at this point. Looking down the nose of a three day week (and 4 day weekend) isn't so bad. The Christmas shopping is going well, at least the research part is wrapping up.

Off to work I go! *cough*

Poor Me. I am on the couch with a sore throat and headache. Not much else to tell.

Visions of sugarplums have been dancing in my head as start my Christmas shopping. So much to do, so little time.

From the "materialism" files, I have excellent news. One of our local, humble shopping centers is getting a new look and both a Bed Bath  and Beyond and a DSW shoe store. That's right, a shoe Mecca right by my home. It is a glorious thing. I don't think this development will mean that will start calling Imelda. At the moment however, I have less shoes then some men I know. Stocking up a little won't hurt.

Flounder come home today (yay!). Tonight  I am going to be cooking up a storm and trying my hand a my first Stew. I trying to work my way through trying out the classics. I think the next item I will try out will be pie.

Tomorrow Flounder and I are going to Dave and Busters with his office. I am looking forward to meeting some of these people I hear so much about.

Quote for the Day:
God creates men, but they choose each other.

Over the weekend I discovered that there is nothing wrong with my car at all. I was very pleased to discover my issues were totally based in User Error. I am not usually happy when I make mistakes, but this time it saved me a lot of money and heartache. Hurrah!

The meeting of the Story Book Parents and Mi Mama went swimmingly. Everyone got a long just fine and a good time was had by all. After brunch, Mi Mama drove me all over tarnation showing me every cute brick or stone house on central PA. And there are a LOT of them.

is traveling for work until Tuesday so I am all by my lonesome. Sleeping alone last night wasn't so bad, but waking up alone was a bit of a downer. I will perserver however and take this alone time to tackle my To Do list. Productivity will be my watch word. Maybe.

Saturdays' party at  's parent's home was lovely. I have never had such good chicken curry, and the company was even better. :)

I am now looking around my desk wondering what I did last on Friday. My Monday amnesia has settled in. What is my job again?

Quote of the Day:

The world is looking a little brighter this morning. Despite the rainy, dreary weather.

Last night Red came over for a lovely visit and  worked on her Mac. As a result, Flounder and I now have all her iTunes music on back-up. Muuahahahaha! More music for me!!!! Anyway, chinese was eatten, computers were improved and good times were had by all.

Today we have a big send off for KT, as she is moving to New York on Saturday. Woe is us. Saturday morning it looks like I am going to get my car towed to a services station so we can figure out what the heck is wrong with it. Saturday night we are partying with during her brief visit state-side. And Sunday is the official first meeting of the parents. A little nervous about that one.

This week has really taken it out of me. I am hoping tomorrow after having the car towed, to be able to relax a little. I think massage would be nice, but I think I will settle for a bubble bath.

Oh yeah, and I weight in today. I know I say this A LOT but I really did gain this week. No question. But I have already moved on. I will go get the bad news and then go drink more water. 

Quote of the Day:
A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.

Re: No Christmas bonus this year

While I am not between a rock and a hard place (just inconveinenced) by the change in bonus policy at my firm this year, it seems not everyone is in my position. There is currently a full on email REVOLT going on among the support staff. I have recieved no less that 15 reply-all email responses and man, these ladies are PISSED. One even claimed the firm had effectively canceled Christmas. I think the mood is going to get worse before it get's better.

This morning the car STILL isn't starting. But that's not all.

Because of the merger of our firm with another (effective Jan. 1) we are taking on their holiday bonus policy which means (dum dum dum....) we won't be getting our bonuses until Jan. 5th. Which actually means no bonus in 2004 at all. Sucky. No, Christmas isn't canceled. Just rearranged a little.

So how can this day get crappier?

On the bright side, I am having lunch with KT and Signe today. Cross your fingers I don't get food poisoning.

Again? Maybe.

I just went out to the car to take a trip over to Library. Sadly it didn't start. It was too cold and dark to try to make the car go. So I will give it another go in the morning I guess.

Pooey!

Last night while sitting on the couch, watching tv, caught sight of my feet and remarked that my feet were skinnier. An amazingly he was right. I have to say that Flounder is observant and can tell (or at least claims to tell ;) when I have lost as little as two pounds. His eagle eyes were right. There is actually more definition in my feet now than there was 8 weeks ago. Cool, but a little odd. Now if only I could see that change in my face!

I think I feel a list coming on!

A List of Things to be Happy About:

• Picking out recipied for goodies to bake


• Sending off mail to friends


• Hot water in the shower each morning (much taken for granted)


• A fresh manicure


• A colorful sunrise


• Gingerbread (latte or otherwise!)

Quote of the Day:
Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.

Henry David Thoreau

I was out and about this weekend and noticed one big thing in the stores. It's offically Christmas. Merry Christmas Everybody! Everything from the huge wreaths in Bon Ton to the (much loved) Starbucks Gingerbread Latte says so. In response, I started making my Christmas list. I little bit of what I would like this Season, but mostly what I want to do for others. The planning is usually the fun part for me. It's in the shopping that I get frustrated. But I think in general I fair better than most. Either way, here we go!

Sunday was mostly spent putting thing right. Cleaning, straightening and such. As   put it so well - "We have become at best, indifferent housekeepers." So true, so true. BUT! We did a lot yesterday to make it better. I am happy to say that our bedroom no longer looks like crazy people live in it. The floor is entirely clear of half empty suitcases and boxes full of packing paper and wire hangers (I know KT, ANYTHING but wire hangers). How nice it was to go to sleep and wake up in a room that was claen! Joy of joys!

I wonder, does EVERYONE get as much mail as Flounder and I do? There is so much paper coming into our house that I now have a little waste bin by out big trashcan in the kitchen just for recycled paper. We can easily put out a grocery bags worth of paper to recycle each week. Amazing. So that means shredding and sorting. Mayhem.

It looks like this past weekend was all about maintanence, and I think my work day will be also. Sorting, filing, processing and all that good stuff. Oh boy!

Quote of the Day:
We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.

Frank Tibolt

This day turned out to be not at all what I expected, but it was nice nonetheless.

I weighed in this morning and somehow, someway, I managed to loose 2 pounds. I think it had something to do with cycles and other girl stuff. Regardless I will take it! This means a little over 12 pound loss. Yay for me!

I had my first Gingerbread Latte of the season. I went with skim, no-whip to try and lessen the points. Mmmm yum!

I shopped around and had lunch with my Mom. Very good times.

I was supposed to be home cleaning today. So now I have changed tomorrows plans so I can help Flounder get this place together tomorrow.

It's not much, but I enjoyed it. :)

So the day started out in a very crappy manor. The cold rain, the very slow traffic, and the terribly slow (and a little bit scary) metro ride. I got into the office an hour late. Crappy. As I headed into the office I had a project waiting for me I was really not looking forward to. Collating the contents of and filling 75 binders. Ugh. But then something really inspiring happened. As T, G, Mel and I realized we were not going to be able to put together all of these 2" binders and meet our deadline two hours away, a miracle happened. an email was sent out to the support staff of the firm. No less than 12 people turned up to help. What looked like a project that would take hours was completed in 1 hour. The feeling in the room was jovial and little bit like Christmas. It cheered me. :)

Tomorrow morning I have to be in the city by 7:30 tomorrow morning. On the bright side, I will be leaving early for a little comp time.:) 

No I didn't vote for Bush. Did I think he would win anyway? Yeah, I did. Why you ask? Because I just couldn't get excited about Kerry. I wanted a LEADER. A new one. One that wasn't Bush.

At least it's only 4 more years right?

In other news, I am reading the second book in the Big Stone Gap trilogy and am LOVING it. I highy recommend Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani, Read Big Stone Gap first!

I was feeling a little motion sick when I got off the metro this morning. Mostly just a mild but persistant headache. I ahve swallowed my Tylenol and am gulping down water. Llama, llama.

Quote of the Day:
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)

I have happily done my civic duty today. As I waited in line this morning (polls opened at 7:00am, and   and I were there at 7:10) I just kept reminding myself that people in other underprivilaged countries have waited in line for DAYS in order to exercise their right to vote. God Bless America. That said what really was the hold up? I'll tell you, it was the identity varification system. Two people sitting behind a desk. One with a roll book the other with a box of ballot cards. I honestly don't understand why we havn't mechanized this sustem yet. We have electronic votation but not electronic check in? Some please explain.

I arrived at work an hour late and will probably put in a little extra time at the end of the day to makeup for it. That said I am supposed to be working early Friday morning so perhaps we will just call it a wash. I am SO not looking forward to the election coverage. I want this thing over already. Perhaps I will distract myself with Laundry.