Ansel Adams

Trying to stay positive

In the midst of financial bs at the job and the very low morale of people that I work with, I've been trying to stay as positive as I can. I learned a long time ago that remaining negative doesn't cut it. So I've been basically trying to isolate myself from everyone at work since no one is happy. I've been able to accomplish some of the things that have been lingering over my head but then it seems that everyone wants a piece of me at once. So a small thing to be positive about.
I had received a package from Carmax that had to deal with the error on my title for the wrecked car. I was hoping that it was because someone from my lienholder agency actually contacted them to help correct the error. Nope, it was just because someone happened to be going over the records and saw the error. Either way, I hope that this is a small step in correcting the problem with the insurance check going to the appropriate agency and I won't have to see my sad looking car anymore in the parking lot. So that's another small thing to be positive about.

Einstein Quote

"Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant."

Ansel Adams

Cutie Alert

Weekend

I can actually say I had a relaxing weekend. Friday afternoon/evening, Joey and I just vegged out-went out to dinner and stopped by GameStop. Saturday we went to Umstead State Park-a place that neither one of us had been to. Despite losing car keys (by Joey) and walking in flipflops for almost 3 miles (by me), we really had a good time. We saw a beautiful young buck in the forest. I definitely want to go back, even if it's by myself so I can go walking. Of course, not in flipflops again.
Sunday, we headed to the library where we had another little adventure. We noticed the traffic lights were out and were curious on what caused the power outage. When we got to the library, there was a minor bit of chaos. No lights, people stuck in the elevators, others waiting for the computers. Joey and I proceeded to look for his books for his research paper for school (I can't even begin to tell you how proud of Joey I am in regards to how well he's doing in school). As we were being told by one of the library staff that we wouldn't be able to check out the books or even get me a library card (anyone else remember the good ole days when everything was done by paper?), the power came back. Joey was able to get his books and I was able to get my card.
After a somewhat emotional rollercoaster thanks to work and a couple of other incidents, I'm glad to have the weekend I just had...even though CSI PS2 game is frustrating me!

Cutie Alert

I Survived Friday the 13th

And it held up to the evil stereotype that it has. Found out yesterday that I'm not getting my full paycheck on Monday. Wow...thank you for giving me ANOTHER reason to leave my job. Needless to say, not a lot of people worked yesterday. We kinda just hung around the office.
I haven't heard back from the people that I interviewed with last week. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.
I haven't done a crafting thing in I don't know how long. I'm going to try to make that a focus for some part of my day today.
Hope that everyone's Friday the 13th was better than mine.

Cutie Alert

Einstein Quote

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Einstein Quote

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.

Einstein Quote

Any fool can know. The point is to understand.

Weekend

I had fun watching Sex and the City Saturday afternoon. Did a little shopping and price comparing before the movie as I waited for my friends. Yesterday, I basically did a little work, watched movies, and even finished a book.
Now it's back to the dreaded grind. Hopefully I'll be able to get some work done so I won't have to take so much back home.

Interview

I had my interview yesterday afternoon and I think that it went okay. I interviewed with two women. One, loves my experience and I was able to answer her questions pretty well. The other, I feel that I just didn't answer her questions the right way. Like I would be talking and then forget what I was really trying to say. I should find out in the next week or so if I get a second interview. The person that likes my experiences emphasized that she was making calls starting early next week so...We shall see.
In other news, I'm heading out today to see Sex in the City with a couple of women from work. Should make for a fun afternoon as all we did yesterday was rotate in each other's offices avoiding work.

Cutie Alert

Cutie Alert 2

Cutie Alert 1

NC=Hell?

Well this is the start of the 3 H's for 2008. Hot, hazy, and humid. It's supposed to be in the high 90's feeling like 105. This was the one thing that made me hesitate about moving down here in the first place. I figure that if I was able to handle the heat and humidity in NYC (gotta love all the blacktop) and Florida in August, I should be able to handle NC.
In other news, I got the job interview for tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I can get the job as things at my current agency have really been going to hell in a handbasket. People being served by the sheriff's department....not good. Plus me working 12 hours a day has got to stop.

Pictures of my car after the accident

It doesn't look like my car was totalled but that's what the insurance company determined. Sigh....

Plans for the weekend

Well, first a happy birthday to a dear friend, Ken.
Today, Joey and I are meeting up with my friend Julie to see Indiana Jones and I'm finally going to meet her other dog Roscoe. I met her Lucy when she brought her into work...that's how I know Julie.
Joey's car is still not working. It's slightly driveable but he will probably get stuck someone once again if the fuel pump isn't taken care of so last night we got it towed to a mechanic he has used before. We're both hoping it's not going to cost as much as it's estimated. So until it gets fixed, we're on one car. So not too many plans are going to be made because of money.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll have my review of Indy up later on my movie blog (check sidebar for link).

Cutie Alert

Einstein Quote

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

It's Always Something

Let's see...you know about my ordeal with work. Now, yesterday, the car that I got in an accident with in January was returned to me all because of Wells Fargo. If anyone works there I would love to speak with you and try to get the company the settlement check. It's a very long saga story and I really don't want to rehash it. And then today, Joey's car breaks down and is undriveable as he's trying to help his friend Chris move his stuff. It just seems like just when things settle down...something else comes up to disturb the peace.

In the Work World of Ollie

My boss, also one of the founders of my agency, announced that she's leaving yesterday. She'll be officially leaving sometime in August. Part of me is thinking that it's about time and finally we can get the agency to where it should be. Another part of me is thinking that it's too little too late despite the rest of the head honchos wanting me to stay on board.

Happy Dance

Here's the picture of the needlepoint for my aunt and uncle. Now I just have to find a frame or get it framed for their cottage which is moose-themed. Sorry that the picture is a little blurry.

Memorial Day 2008

I had a very relaxing day. I said a silent thank you to my deceased grandfathers for their contribution to the Armed Forces in the morning and spent most of the day playing a new video game-The Lost Crown. Last night, I watched a movie and actually did some craft stuff-the stamped needlepoint for my aunt and uncle. I'll probably be done with that in another session or two. Once it's completed, I'll post a picture.

Weekend

Haven't done much this weekend. Joey and I did hit Target yesterday and I got a new floor lamp along with a new PC game and a few other little things. I took a nice long nap and then watched Homicide the rest of the day. Today is probably going to be more of the same.

Work

Well, the audit went over okay. Charts were still not done in time but luckily they allowed for us to pick some to review and they went over others that were reviewed back in December. Minor things need to be fixed and are already in the process of being done. The one thing that infuriated me on Friday was that my boss felt it was more important to go to her daughter's dance recital (bear in mind it was the fourth one in a 2-week time span and she went to all the previous ones) than to either help or even stay for the audit. And this is her agency! So I'm basically through.

Cutie Alert

Today's the day....

Audit time. Needless to say, I was extremely annoyed and then even got enraged. I heard that my boss, the founder of the agency, came into the conference room that we were using...I happened to be out of the room at the time...and had a blank look on her face like she didn't understand what we were doing. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!??!?! I was so angered when I heard that I had to leave the room and went to talk to the executive director. Here we are, trying to salvage her agency because she and her former partners screwed it up. I was so pissed. In fact, I still am....maybe it's because I worked 11.5 hours yesterday going through charts, never got a thank you or can I help you from her or others, my workers weren't there like they were supposed to be, I got hardly any sleep, and am already here to go through more charts before the auditors come this afternoon. Damn this job.

Einstein Quote

"The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind is akin to that of the religious worshiper or the lover; the daily effort comes from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart."

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

I found out yesterday that my agency is being audited on Friday. It is a follow-up to December's audit but it's basically a complete audit. Now, if people just gave a damn about the charts and crap like I've been fighting about for the last few months, I would be okay. But, no...our charts are still shit. And the head honchos are trying to run me ragged in getting stuff that I don't have time to get. Sometimes I really hate being in the social work field.

Life...

Well, I'm back to the grind at work and not thrilled by it. Funny thing happened yesterday...as I was driving in, the tension in my neck and shoulders got tighter and tighter the closer I got to work. So what do you think that means? On the good side, I had a phone interview yesterday afternoon for a position closer to home and from my resume that I had sent in the previous day. It sounds interesting and it has benefits and higher pay. Keep your fingers crossed.

Happiness is....

another Tori Amos live CD...Thanks Joey.

Rockin' Out

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of listening to Joey play drums with two of his former bandmates and best friends, Patrick and Jeff. Not bad for a trio of guys who have played together for 10+ years. These guys are extremely talented and it's a real shame that every time they have tried to create a band and have it stick, it's never worked out...mostly due to personality conflicts. They all told me that they haven't played together for at least 2 years or so...it seemed like to me they picked up exactly where they left off. It was good to see another side of Joey and get to know his best friends a little bit.
Also, Patrick has these two beyond adorable dogs...Parker and Rocky. Parker's a beagle and Rocky is a puppy mutt. Both extremely sweet. And I had the pleasure of making sure that they were okay with the ruckus. Hard job but someone had to do it.

Cats and the strange places they sleep

My last day.....

and I have the pleasure of heading into work...at least it's only to pick up my paycheck. And I'll be giving some work back to people.
Yesterday, I ended up going to both Michael's and AC Moore. I only picked up some yarn that was on sale...now if I could only find my crochet stuff...and a hoop for my needlework...finally got one as attempting to do my mom's teapot wasn't really working well without a hoop.
I also watched Homicide and watched Boots sleeping in a box...I'll post a picture later.
Joey and I went out for Indian last night. Despite the poor quality of service and the flies that wanted in our food....the food was EXCELLENT. It was as good as the restaurant, Joy, that Scott and I used to go to in New York City. Unfortunately for Scott, it's no longer there.

Day # 4 and counting

And so far my plans for today are not happening as I was supposed to be getting paid today but no one is getting paid until tomorrow...another example of why I love my job.
After going to the lake yesterday, I watched another movie and reviewed some progress notes. Yes, I know I'm supposed to be on vacation but they need to be done. Last night I went through more stuff...stuff that never even should have made it to Scott's place. Oh well, it will now be discarded.
Today is pretty much up in the air of what I'm going to do.

Pics from this morning

These were taken by my camera phone. I went to the lake to feed the ducks and geese and then sat down and watched them. These are from when I was sitting down and watching them.

Day #3

Well, today was going to be my beach day but with the weather not wanting to cooperate, it's going to be errand day instead.
Yesterday, I managed to finish the Netflix movies that were here, went through my pictures over the years (way too many of Sal and Jeremy and none of Scott), and just overall relaxed.
So far not too bad of a vacation. Of course, because I'm who I am, I'm still checking in at work...gotta know if I have a job to return to...and so far I do, for right now.

Cutie Alert

Does anyone else notice that I love Goldens?

The Spring Vacation Continues.....

I had the pleasure of spending some of it with Joey yesterday afternoon. He got off of work early and came home before he headed off to school last night.
I ended up catching up on some TV and watched A Chorus Line. I also went through some bags that haven't been unpacked since I moved in with Scott. Found some things that I had been looking for.
Today I'll be watching some more movies and going through some more boxes and bags. Maybe go to the lake and feed the birds.
I am still debating on if I'm going to head to the coast or not. The weather isn't going to be all that warm (beach warm) so it would be kinda pointless in spending the money for gas to go to the beach and not really be able to enjoy the warmth.

Helpful Kitty (or at least trying to be)

This is Suzie

Possessed Kitty

This is Boots

Stitching update

This is the latest on the teapot for my mom...finally decided to play around with the digital camera and Joey's computer.

How I'm Spending My Spring Vacation

Today....no work....woohoo! I've already caught up on Survivor....another season where the person I wanted to win didn't win. At least this time I don't completely hate the winner.
Not sure what else I'm going to do today. Probably finish catching up on Lost and color my hair...gotta hide those grays!
Other than that...relax....relax.....relax

Another number added to my age

But first...Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.

Yup, this year, my birthday falls on mom's day. Last night, Joey took me out for dinner. Ended up being beer and buffalo wings. Then we hit a music/vido store where I picked up the latest Def Leppard and Counting Crows CDs along with Inside Man DVD. Today, I don't have much planned. Going to probably watch some movies and get groceries. Maybe even do some laundry...how exciting! What I hate is that I can't remember what I did last year. Sorry Scott-can you remember? I think that seeing Live on my 30th has blinded me for all birthdays to come!

A day before my birthday and where am I?

In the office...going through charts. I'm surprisingly in a decent mood....probably because I know I won't be here until the 19th after today. Woohoo.

Good advice

Thank you Jim Davis

Determination

I was determined last night to NOT do any work at home after 5pm. I actually managed to do it. I even managed to turn my mind off of it when I started thinking about work. I did some work on the needlepoint project that I'm working on for my aunt and uncle. No pictures as I'm still learning how to upload the pictures from my camera to Joey's computer.
I even pampered myself by taking a bubblebath and relaxing.
However, I ended up sleeping on the living room floor because when Joey came to bed, I couldn't go back to sleep. So in order to not toss and turn and wake him up and steal the covers, I left.
Maybe that's why I got so heated and upset during a meeting this morning. I just don't understand what it has to take for people to listen to workers who actually do their job and make the best tries to do their job appropriately but because the so called team leader doesn't communicate crap, it gets blamed onto my worker. I'm really close to saying fuck this job and social work. People need to listen, especially to stuff that they don't want to listen to. And, even better, admit when they have fucked up and try to remedy the situation before it gets to the point of where it's at now.
So now I'm home. Frustrated with myself because I ended up in tears at work. Frustrated that I forgot something at work in order to do some paperwork and I refuse to do it twice. So now, I can go and attempt to go through the latest progress notes that I also brought home.
Thank God I'm on vacation next week.

Realization

I'm angry. Very very angry. And no matter how well I think I'm hiding it, it isn't working. You know it's bad when your boss calls you a troll. I don't know if it's because I'm exhausted. Sick and tired of being lied to. Just the general dealing as a supervisor. Not having a couch or chair to relax in when I get home. What I went through a few weeks ago. Knowing that I'll be on vacation from work but have no plans of doing anything or going anywhere. I'm not happy. Now in order to change some things, it will be huge risks that I'm not 100% sure I'm ready or willing to try to do. But, then again, I may never be and I could be miserable for the rest of my life which isn't fair to me.
I've been going through some things the last month or so and it's all taking it's toll on me. The surgery, the not seeing Joey as much due to his going back to school, being lied to at work, not being listened to at work or at home, the finding out that my parents are moving to Kentucky, the seeing my past get hurt and me wanting to physically be there for them, the constant driving and watching the gas prices go up and up.
I wish I had the money or at least contact with a massage therapist to get a proper body massage and to try to relax. I feel like I can't enjoy the things that I like to do (crafting, reading, etc) because I'm always thinking about work no matter how hard I try to leave it at work (doesn't help when I bring home the paperwork). I wish I could not be so tired and do the crafting I want to do. I almost wish I had my subway commute back so I could be reading as much as I used...almost you NYers out there.
My boss asked me today what she/they as in the agency, could do to help me not breakdown. I just wanted to go on a tirade with that one. I'm like, where do you want me to start? The lying, the petty arguments in front of my staff that they don't need to witness, the lack of communication, the constant attempts of putting a square peg in a round hole?
I think that my social work career is finally coming to a head and I need to figure out how much longer do I stay in it and how daring do I want to be in going ahead in doing something different and then figure out what that something different is. I'm tired of helping others. I'm tired of people in general. I would love to just be a hermit for a while and not have to deal with anyone.
I know that some will read this and feel they shouldn't come to me about their problems. If I really am your friend and have been recently helping you or at least listening to you, you don't need to stop coming to me. I'm just frustrated with my job and my future.

Another Monday

and I feel like I've never left my agency's building. I'm actually locking myself in my office to focus on getting some of this paperwork finished that has been building up and piling up.
Yesterday, I could have fallen asleep at 5 or 6 pm. And to come home and have an argument doesn't help the stressful situation that I've seem to put myself in.

Welcome to Hell

At least that's how I'm feeling this weekend. I worked yesterday. I'm working today...why you might ask? Because people haven't been doing their jobs and no one was held accountable. So now I have the pleasure along with a couple of others to go in on a nice weekend and do crap to make sure that the agency doesn't end up closing.
At least today, one of my workers brought in her dog.

You know it's bad when...

EVERY dream you have is about work.

Comfort is....

listening to the purr of your cat whether she be on your head while you're trying to sleep or on your chest as you're trying to type

Sadness

I got the call last night. My parents are moving and are going to be selling my childhood home. The home that I've been able to call home since I was 3. Yes, I haven't lived there since I was 22 but over the last 10 years and all of my moves, it was the one place that I could always call home, no matter what. Now it's all changing. I'm not happy about it at all. I knew that it was coming. I just didn't expect it to be happening now. I'm debating on asking them if they need/want me to come up to help them pack up the stuff, fearing that it will be too emotional.

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?
-Looney Toons

Soup

Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?
-Dog-golden Retriever-would have to see the personality before the name.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
2

Main Course

What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?
-usually listen to sports radio or rock

Dessert

When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?
-man, it's been a long time, probably a few years ago and put it in my bedroom

Another dollar....another day

At least I sparked it up a little yesterday by writing a little profile thing for Scott. He asked me to. I guess he's trying to get an outside look at himself. I have to admit that it was kinda hard in writing about him while trying to more think like him. It was easy to write all the nice things and I didn't even begin to start writing about the negative things (there aren't that many).
Last night, I had the joy of going through progress notes for work and more notes and more notes. They never seem to stop. It does help me as a supervisor get a clearer understanding of what ALL the participants are doing with the families.
Oh...and I actually finished a book too.

Yesterday

I was in a funky mood all day. Probably due to the lack of sleep that I've been experiencing and understanding that I'm getting really sick and tired of the selfish people in my life. Plus, it didn't help that I was stuck in a training all day. A training where I was with CEOs, COOs, CFOs who decide that it's more important to speak with others instead of actually being quiet and getting an understanding of what the presenters are trying to discuss. And then the stupid questions....
This morning I'm not really all that much better even though I did sleep but had strange dreams...mud wrestling anyone?

Weekend/Monday

So before I have to head out to a training/meeting.....
I watched a lot of movies this weekend. Jerome had sent me the rest of season of Dexter so I was able to catch up on that on Saturday. I was happy to see the little twists and turns. Sunday, Joey and I watched some movies and relaxed.
I started a new project-a needlepoint project for my aunt and uncle for their little camp in Upstate NY. I've almost finished it already so I'm happy.
Yesterday I started exercising again...slowly as I'm still trying to recover from my surgery. Man, I'm really out of shape and I need to get back to where I'm feeling comfortable within myself again. It's difficult because Joey feels that he needs to gain weight and I need to lose weight. Too bad we don't have a magic wand and do a little switch-a-roo.

In other news....

I actually made it a whole day yesterday at work. Painkillers and antibiotics can be a good thing and I'm not one to take medication.
Of course, when I got home, found out that my bank situation was never fixed (they were supposed to take off a pending transaction) and almost didn't want to give me back all of my fees...dem bastards. But I prevailed. And I was able to go out to dinner with Joey last night AND even manage to get groceries. Wow! I might even have more than enough to repay rent AND keep getting gas. Just simply amazing.

I'm an official "Redneck"

and I have the hole in my mouth to prove it.
A couple of years ago my last baby tooth came out-there was never any permenant tooth underneath it. So I had the pleasure of getting a crown and the whole nine yards. Well, last night, while chewing some gum, it came out. The best thing...I have NO health insurance. So now I have to debate on going to a dentist and paying more money that I don't have, attempt to find some cheap insurance, or do nothing and live up to my "redneck" life style.

Happiness is.....

a new live Tori Amos CD from 1992

Cutie Alert

Another day

I finally got some antibiotics yesterday. Can you imagine a doctor not prescribing antibiotics after surgery?
Last night I finally caught up on the blogs that I've been reading and even worked a little on the cross stitch for my mom. Hopefully tonight, with Joey's assistance, I'll have a picture from my camera to post on it.
Not much else going on in the exciting world of Jen.

Best news I've heard in a long time

My dad is cancer free.

Yesterday/Last night

Another crazy day yesterday at work as supervisor. Back to back meetings. Dealing with stupidity and not understanding why it has to be this way. All of this with a fever. Joy.
When I got home, Suzie would not leave me alone...not sure why. She's always bugging me for attention. Not that I really mind. Last night I was debating on working on the cross-stitch for my mom or finally catching up on the blogs that I used to read every day. Well, the blogs won out. After about an hour and fifteen minutes, I still wasn't completely caught up. It's nice to see what has been happening with my blog friends. Some have added new additions to their families, others have lost. Some are stitching away while others have been like me and life has taken over from their time.
I had a hard time sleeping last night. I probably slept all of 3-4 hours. Not a good thing.

Attempts

I'm going to attempt to get back to writing on here more often. I feel that with everything going on, I need an outlet. So with that being said....I had surgery Saturday. I'm trying to recover but yesterday I had severe pains and a fever. Thought that I was going to have to go to the ER. Unfortunately I don't know how high the fever was. Not surprising, I feel fine this morning. The fever broke while I was trying to sleep.
Joey has started school and is enjoying it which I'm thrilled for him. Unfortunately, times like last night, I could have used his comfort. But Scott and Denise were there and I thank both of them. Yes, you read it correctly, Scott. Like most people, he's going through his own stress and I hope that I was a little bit helpful last night. He was able to get my mind off my body and made me miss Zeit even more.
I've been watching a lot of DVDs from Netflix. It seems like that is all I can afford to do. That and all the books and crafts I've obtained over the years. Speaking of crafts, I'm still working on the Linus and Lucy latch hook and the cross-stitch for my mom. I should probably charge up my digital camera so I can start taking pictures of at least the cross-stitch.
Hope that everyone out there is doing well.

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

Name a color you find soothing.
-blues and grays

Soup

Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.
-in a big Xerox parking lot with my dad

Salad

What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?
-cotton

Main Course

Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?
-Tori Amos or Live

Dessert

What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?
-E

Long time

I haven't been keeping up with this except for the cute pictures of dogs or other random things. There has been some things going on in my life that I'm chosing not to make public-God forbid I start an uproar with decisions that I make. With the most recent decision, I'm actually doing a much better job in handling it then I thought I would.
I've been working on some crafting projects-a Linus and Lucy Holiday Latch hook-not sure what I'm going to do with it once I'm done-might try to sell it. And a cross-stitch project for my mom. It's of a teacup-since she's been collecting tea pots, I've been trying to find things that are around that theme.
I've finally finished the Harry Potter series. Wasn't too bad. It's a shame that people have seemed to go back to not reading. Thank you land of TV and video games.

Cutie Alert

Cutie Alert

Strange

It's kinda strange how life changes on you so quickly. Packing up my life and getting the hell out of dodge aka NYC, then moving out of Tracy's, then being here with Joey all within a very short period of time. Tomorrow, Joey starts school. We're both broke thanks to this move and recession. I'm still trying to establish a crafting schedule for myself-doesn't help that we don't have any furniture in our living room and the lighting in the whole apartment stinks. I did manage to finish something for an exchange project which will be heading overseas today...finally. My reading time is picking up. I actually finished 3 books in March...wow!

Stressful

That's the way my life has been lately. Stress at work due to people not always wanting to do their work and me having to be the one to give the consequences.
Homelife...would be nice if we had furniture and money but that will come. The most important thing is that the cats are happy.

SBQ

This week's SBQ was suggested by Terri
(http://stitchwraith.blogspot.com/) and is:

What items do you consider essential to your needlework that you keep
in your stitching bag?

-What's a stitching bag? Obviously I don't consider things essential. The way that I do my projects is that I have the kit or guide along with the fabric and threads necessary. Plus a needle, can't forget the needle!

Cutie Alert

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

What does the color dark green make you think of?
-forest

Soup

How many cousins do you have?
-3 on my mom's side, 9 on my dad's side

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?
9

Main Course

Name something that is truly free.
-breathing

Dessert

Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.
-Some People Ring In New Greens.

SBQ

This week's SBQ is:

When you stitch a pattern that you have downloaded do you print out
the pattern or do you stitch directly from your computer screen?
-I don't usually download patterns but the one that I have done, I printed it out since I usually don't stitch in front of the computer

It's been a while

I hadn't realized that it's been 10 days since I last posted. Only a few things have happened. Joey and I moved in together this past weekend. My legs are finally almost feeling normal thanks to the stairs combined with heavy boxes of books. The cats are adjusting. Running around like crazy and being overly affectionate. Now it's just a matter of finding a spot to put all my boxes until we get bookcases to set up all of the books and misc. other things. Also, a couch or loveseat would be important instead of sitting on the floor. Joey and I are doing great in case you were wondering.
Work has been stressful-a lot of things seem to be falling apart and I'm having to attempt to pick them up. Write-ups and firings. The joys of being a supervisor. I'm just trying to focus on my little vacation that I'll be taking in May. Probably won't be going anywhere but relaxing is always a good thing.
Been reading a little more thanks to having no cable or internet yet in the apartment. I need to find my crafting stuff and attempt to set that up. I need to finish some projects like yesterday.
That's about it in my little Ollie World.

Cutie Alert Times 2

Today

Well, I had the pleasure of filing papers for 4 hours at my job. Please note sarcasm. Talk about frustration on horrible looking charts. How the agency has managed to stay for so long...I'll never quite understand. Lots of cursing going on this morning but at least only one other person heard me...and she was going off too. Hopefully now the charts will stay relatively how they're supposed to be. We shall see.

A Day Late (Friday's Feast)

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
-Steffi Graf, just so I could be married to Andre Agassi

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?
2

Salad

Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).
-Camp Good Days and Special Times

Main Course

What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?
-bagels

Dessert

Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?
-not that I know of

Guess I have to say it again

I guess I should do one of these type of blogs once or twice a year. This blog is for me. This blog and the others that I have is about my life. Some may not like it. Some may take offense to it. But this is mine. You don't like something that I wrote, sorry, but that's your problem. Don't read it. I've only had to be censored once and that was due to a work related thing that I had gotten very specific about. I am not going to censor myself to make someone feel better. It's called the Freedom of Speech. Maybe when I move out of the USA, I won't have this Right and will have to be censored. But if you do take offense, maybe you need to look at yourself and figure out why something I wrote pissed you off. My objective in writing on this blog is not to piss off or hurt others but to have a record of what happens in my life. Now if you're reading this and getting upset, this is not all about you. Nothing on my blog is or ever will be.

SBQ

This week's SBQ is recycled from January 4, 2005 and is:

After you stitch a pattern or kit, what do you do with it?
-I've thrown out the guides or have given them to others. I usually keep the floss in case I can use it on another project.

Cutie

A little update

It's been a while since I posted anything about me and my life. Things with Joey continue to go very well. Well enough that we are looking for a place to live together. His roommate's lease ends at the end of this month and I need to find a place for me and my cats. So....why the heck not? I didn't have a bad experience when I did it with Scott and Joey and I are pretty much living together now anyway so...
Work is so crazy. Had to attempt to write someone up this past week and when I attempted, she quit. Just got to love being a supervisor. It sucks because she is a good worker, it's just that her emotions get in the way sometimes.
Still haven't finished a book since January. I really need to up my reading time.
I've done a little writing-mostly bare bones to an autobiography with a fictional character. I've been debating on applying to get my MFA in Creative Writing.
I've been doing a little craft work here and there. No finishes yet other than the friendship bracelets. I'm still thinking of setting up a mail order business for them. Probably as soon as I get settled, I'll be concentrating on it more.
Hope that you all out there in Blogville are doing well.

Recently discovered

Found out that my former coworkers are having fun in the blog world...

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?
-Joey

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.
-be natural

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?
-sun

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?
-ocean and humpback whales

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?
-The Stand by Stephen King

SBQ

This week's SBQ was suggested by Rachel and is:

What is your cross stitch weakness? (i.e., What do you have to have
when you see it, even if you are supposed to be on the Wagon?)

-I usually end up picking up kits for people in mind when I'm supposed to be on the Wagon. Sometimes, I'll pick up floss.

Cutie alert

Cutie Alert: Want to go for a drive?

For Cathy

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?
-never done anything really serious. And it's been to a number of different people.

Soup

What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?
-don't own any since I don't really use salt and pepper to season my food after it's been cooked.

Salad

Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?
-boyfriend's home

Main Course

What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?
-Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream

Dessert

Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.
-World of Chocolate: chocolate brownie with or without nuts, with chocolate fudge sauce, warmed with a small scoop of chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles

Cutie

Left open to interpretation

Had an interesting dream this morning that was interrupted by my crackhead cousin. Scott and I were at some function (either sports or concert) and we had driven there. It was in NYC, so the fact alone that we drove was interesting. We met up with his friend Matt and by the end of the thing, Scott was completely ignoring me. I had gotten fed up, said fuck this and went to catch the subway as we were leaving the arena-something that I never would have done. My last looking at Matt and Scott was that they were busy chatting away walking to the car and never noticed that I had left. Before I could find out if Scott ever did notice, Denise had woken me up. I have a strong idea of what this means and it actually gave me some peace.

Another Dive Invitation

What I miss about NYC

In no particular order:

Zeit
Chicken and Broccoli with brown rice from Bobo (when it's good)
Don's
The playing of Bejeweled for hours on end because SI was slow and BK didn't need help
The not dealing with supervisees crap like sexism, racism and ageism all wrapped into one
Friends
Crackheads at work
The ability to see a Broadway show at the drop of a hat
Central Park
Prospect Park
Shea Stadium
The ability to find a good restaurant
The ongoing talk about the kids...and knowing that they are not the 2-legged human kind
Knowing that I have a comfortable place to call home
Having quiet
Having my kids run around
The playing of games
The relatively short trips to CT or Long Island
The not having to drive anywhere
My reading time

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

Name one thing that is unique about you.
-my loyalty

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite _animal________ is _a humpback whale________ but I like _dogs________ too.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?
-I have wood furnishings?

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?
-Joey

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?
-I'm a supervisor...what does that tell you?

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope that everyone has a good day today. If you have a loved one, consider yourself blessed. If not, don't despair and count your several other blessings. Don't give into the hype of all the commercialism out there. You should be thankful for your loved ones, no matter what day it is.

Who I should vote for?

I got this one from Sue:

Who You Should Vote For

Barack Obama: 80% Hillary Clinton: 60% John McCain: 33% Ron Paul: 27% Mike Huckabee: 20% Who you agree with on the war in Iraq: Ron Paul Who you agree with on the economy: Barack Obama Who you agree with on health care: Hillary Clinton Who you agree with on taxes: Mike Huckabee Who you agree with on abortion: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Who you agree with on gay rights: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama

Who Should You Vote For?