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Gimmicks
Monday, December 31, 2007
I have to work today for 7 hours, pick up Munchkin and hit Kroger for our festivities foods. Watch some movies, enjoy a cozy fire and stuff my face.
And we have a major snowstorm heading our way.
I plan to be home right after dark, before the heavy snowfall starts and the roads get slick.
Before the crazy partiers really start driving drunk and are on those slick roads.
Interesting news articles abound on the Net. It's not just about toy recalls and subprime lending.
Accepting, understanding change "Black TV reporter refuses to give in to disorder that's turning him white." But his nose isn't falling off and he's not accessorized with bandaids around his mouth?
IRS says late AMT law won't hold up tax refunds A few days ago, the IRS said it would take 7 weeks to update their computers properly. This would have affected EVERYONE filing for mortgage interest credit or child care credit or education credit. "Returns that include the following forms cannot be filed until Feb. 11, 2008." hmmm...
Hubby just got a call from his mother about him attending his ex-mother-in-law's funeral. She thinks he should, she and his dad are going. He disagrees. He feels that since he didn't have any relationship with the woman for the past 10 years and barely anything before that, it would be hypocritical of him to attend.
His mom lectured he should out of respect for his son. My husband shot back that he hasn't been invited, not even told where or when anything is going on. Plus, he said, "I sure don't want her (his X) showing up at you or dad's funeral. It's not her place."
That pretty much shut her up. Personally, I think it is ridiculous for her and my father-in-law to attend. Sure, they all lived about 5 miles from each other for many many years, but they NEVER visited nor called each other. Not even exchanged Christmas cards.
I guess it's one way to get a day off work.
Yep, check out my new countdown on the left. Christmas comes every year, but hubby's mandated child support ending is ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
That's a cool grand extra each month.
And I'm busy reworking my Death Checklist. How y'all doin' on yours?
Oh, Gusto, I spent the last of my gift card return from my birthday today. I bought 2 dressy tshirts, a winter pin, a pair of shorts and a green halter top. My bill came to $9.22. I still had $8.15 on my card, so I only put out $1.07.
SWEET DEALS! Gotta love Kohls 90%-off racks! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/29/2007 09:47:00 PM
Friday, December 28, 2007
Six years ago today, Carol died. Coincidentally, a storm blew through this afternoon and gave us slushy, slippery roads, much like that tragic morning.
And my stepson's grandmother died today. Her husband died several months ago and she had breast cancer. I pity for my husband's exwife...she is all alone in the world now. She has no siblings, doesn't speak with her father and doesn't really like her aunts/uncles/cousins or inlaws.
2 cents on the San Fran Zoo Tiger Attack Sounds to me like a bloody footprint on the moat wall was from one of the victims. At least one kid was in there?!!? Does that make them a victim still?
Such stupidity deserved the mauling. It sure wasn't "accidental." You run into traffic, you deserve to be run over. Not exactly rocket science.
Tigers are tigers. They are living, breathing, THINKING creatures. It would be virtually impossible to build an escape-proof, injury-proof enclosure.
Especially when there are morons of all ages out there, climbing walls and sticking limbs into cages.
Tigers are very intelligent animals. And VERY aggressive and powerful. They deserve respect. And zoos don't give them that respect.
We really do not know what a tiger can/will do until the deed is done. Tigers don't go "crazy." Tigers are wild animals. Tigers go TIGER! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/27/2007 07:03:00 AM
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
It was so nice to have NOTHING to do on Christmas. Hubby and I slept in til 9, made breakfast together, ate it in front of the fireplace, watched some TV, opened gifts in the early afternoon and watched The Bourne Ultimatum.
Hubby went hunting while I took Neeko for a walk. It was brisk, but sunny. PERFECT! Dinner simmered away all day in the slowcooker.
We chatted with our families on the phone and I caught up with Gusto on IM around 10:30 p.m.
There was no rushing or driving. It was just he and I spending a leisurely day together. Completely free from the nagging of grocery shopping and running errands.
Btwn hubby and me, we hit the DVD payload with 10 new titles for our movie library! And check out the awesome additions to my orny, M&M and sweater collections!
The Bourne Ultimatum DVD The Rundown DVD HP/Order of the Phoenix DVD white soft robe with matching white soft slippers fuzzy blue slippers grey sweater M&M fire truck box of Snowman Kleenex bracelet (Gusto picks out the prettiest!)* beautiful Xmas tree mailing box $$$ porcelain bowl 2 decorative kitchen towels Mikasa glass Xmas serving dish red mega plush blanket Santa cup and plate snowman ornie sterling silver photo frame set of cookie sheets
Remark made walking by my office Friday afternoon: "It looks like Santa threw up gifts in here!"
M&M: biz card holder, stuffed bear, mug w/candies bag of Mega M&Ms bag of mint mini Hershey chocolate bars box of honest-to-goodness English chocolates cream sweater towel/potholder set angel ornie tall snowman mug kitty sticky notes kitty photo album huge mango-peach salsa Yankee candle angel frame BK gift card 2 scent bags from B&B Works
*Gusto should be a pro jewelry present shopper. Seriously, NOBODY chooses better. And she goes for different styles, too. Very impressive!!! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/25/2007 08:45:00 PM
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday and spend the days with those you love, having a great time with yummy treats!
We spent the weekend with hubby's family and his son. We went to my parents tonight and enjoyed the Mexican buffet, tacos and nachos and burritos. Munchkin is staying for a yet-undetermined amount of days. Maybe til the weekend, maybe til NYE, maybe til next year.
Back manana for the gift report! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/24/2007 11:55:00 PM
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Hubby's mom called me last week for a gift idea for Munchkin.
Munchkin absolutely loved it.
The idea? A senior scrapbook. Mom bought a large one that matches her school colors, lots of pretty paper, assorted stickers, special photo tape and a set of gel pens.
Munchkin is really excited to get creative! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/23/2007 10:23:00 PM
Thursday, December 20, 2007
For this holiday season, I have made:
1 fleece blanket (60"x72") for my niece, 3 bracelet/necklace sets 1 book of Painted Ladies 2 garland Christmas trees 10 batches of Christmas cookies numerous December fires fueled with the years' junk mail
My next project will be covering a long, dark blue gown with pink/blue shimmer for Munchkin's Snowcoming! And possibly starting next year's Christmas cards! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/20/2007 09:54:00 PM
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The great brown hunter Hubby got another deer today.
Almost every day, hubby rushes home from work to get in a few hours of bow hunting. He set up a tree stand in a field about 2/10s of a mile from our house (bird fly.) He throws on his hunting gear and speeds his red mule to his spot.
And he (im)patiently waits for that perfect shot.
It rarely comes. That's the nature of the hunt.
And I anxiously await his phone call. Except when it is 6:45 a.m. and he is supposed to be on his way to work. And he's had his truck back from the body shop for ALMOST 2 weeks.
"Well, honey, this time it DIDN'T get away!" (silence) "You're kidding me." "Nope. Killed this one." "Great. Where you at?" "The end of the street." "OUR STREET?!!?" "Yep."
He killed the little deer a whoppin' 500 feet from his tree stand!
WITH HIS NEW TRUCK!
Right now, he's 1-1-1. 1 killed with hunting, 1 killed with his truck and 1 ran off.
I've suggested that he mount his tree stand to his truck. Seems to be where the most action is! He didn't laugh. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/19/2007 11:38:00 PM
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The year is passing much too quickly.
It's almost time to re-do my list for the Death Pool. So far, 3 names get to be replaced, seeing as they died.
Possible death has pretty much defined this year: my mom's heart back in January, hubby's dad in June with his cancer, Gramma dying of kidney cancer and my sister playing Russian Roulette with her insulin-dependent diabetes.
Yet, a best friend is pregnant with her first baby. It's such a simple joy, something that even a stranger appreciates. Everyone always asks, "how is Rae doing?" Aches and pains and complaints are unimportant until after the update.
Nothing is more joyous than a baby, especially a first baby.
Hubby's mother has a severe tremor condition like Parkinson's, which hubby is rapidly developing, also. My father lost his hearing in his left ear in Oct/Nov from an infection and has only 50% in his right.
But they are still alive and not sitting around feeling sorry for themselves. They are LIVING!
2007 has been a test. All in all, it's been the year of true spirit and love. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/18/2007 09:50:00 PM
Saturday, December 15, 2007
It sucks to hire someone who has worked at another financial institution for 30 years and is new to another set of policies.
To say she has problems adjusting is an understatement.
She compares constantly. They NEVER worked holidays and always got full pay. And she had 4 weeks of vacation, but has none now.
What she has forgotten is that her job was DOWNSIZED. She lost her job because she was costly. Her $18/hour fulltime with all benefits? Her former employer has gone to $9.50 part-timers with NO benefits.
Sure, I still talk glowingly about working with Gusto, but I never expected to have summers and holidays off working in a business! And I've been realistic about being provided Cheezits, Diet Coke and peanut M&Ms. Not there.
And she doesn't understand the role of management. She has overstepped her bounds by reminding our manager and myself of "The Rules." Guess what? I'm management and I can bend those rules. It's MY butt.
Please leave a message The other day, my boss and I were lectured about turning off our cellphones.
Namely, we are NOT to do it, not at night, not on weekends or holidays, not even while at church or recharging. Those are the contact numbers given out for us.
If they are too loud, we were advised to turn them on vibrate. And we were instructed to wear them on our waist, not keep them in our purses. We are to be available 24/7/365.
OH HELL NO!
"I'm sorry, am I supposed so have a company phone? Because I don't."
No, these instructions pertain to My Own Cell.
"I'm sorry, am I supposed to be submitting my bill for the company to pay?"
No, it's MY phone, so I have to pay it.
"Um, no," I replied. "This phone is for my personal use. I have a home number that can be called instead."
No, my cell number is the most "easily accessible," therefore it will be used. Funny, but that same phone is not supposed to be used during work time, unless I am on my unpaid lunch break.
"OK, but I am advising you that it will be turned on and off as I wish and answered as I deem necessary." And despite her glare, I put it in writing.
Sometimes, I really hate the woman in charge who isn't married or dating, who has no kids or pets or family and thinks everybody should put work as #1, every moment of every day.
We are employees, not endentured servants or slaves! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/10/2007 11:18:00 PM
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Nature is so cool Benson molted this morning!!!
Munchkin and I also watched a cricket molt. Not to worry, we got the crickets out ASAP. They could kill her in such a weak and soft state.
This is the second time since we found her in 2004. The first time, she was at my stepson's mother's house, so we didn't get to see anything but the discarded skeleton.
Watching, waiting, worrying...it's just very exciting! She's gonna be HUGE!!! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/09/2007 09:51:00 AM
Friday, December 07, 2007
That's what friends are for Lulu got a completely random call from me today on my lunch hour, simply because the book I am reading mentions her old stomping grounds.
"Hey, when I was down and we ate at The Cheesecake Factory, did you take me to Phipps Plaza?" Nope, RATS! But we chatted for another 10 minutes or so. (I forgot to ask if you eat Chinese on Christmas? Seriously, it's about the only thing open!)
Of course, Lulu insisted that Munchkin and I stay at Casa Lulu if we fly down to Atlanta for Spring Break. (Chicago doesn't seem to be very promising in March, considering the weather dept!) Munchkin was far from adverse to the suggestion, even asking if Alex would remember her.
I plan to do some research next week into flights and car rentals. Then hit Lulu up for itinerary suggestions. And maybe us 4 girls can do something REALLY FUN together! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/07/2007 10:44:00 PM
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Hubby's truck has been in the shop to fix the damage from his deer collision last month. He took it into the shop on Wednesday and was supposed to have it back Friday.
Well, you know how THAT goes!
The dealership paid for him to have a loaner, which ended up being a grey 2007 Chrysler Sebring. It's a cute little car and actually, more roomy and comfy than we ever expected.
Hubby has fallen for the clock in the dash. It's a not a digital, but a REAL "face" clock, with hands! (The more techie term is "analogue," but that's a bit too ANAL for me, teehee)
It's odd to be in a car again. That's why I don't drive it. He's stuck with it til his truck is done.
Not to mention, I'd probably lose the thing in the parking lot. Looks too much like every other cute little car! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/04/2007 09:28:00 PM
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Holi-party-day Next weekend is unofficially "Craft-making @ J's house."
It started with me just needing a spot to put together a fleece blanky for my teenaged niece. (ORANGE AND BLACK IS WHERE IT'S AT!) A nearly impossible task at home because of 20 nosy little paws!
No matter how quick!
Instead of morphing into the typical girlz night with dinner, movie/games and chitchat, we are having a fun holi-party-day! Anybody can attend!
Starting Saturday afternoon and probably lasting until well past midnight, J's house will be full of craft stuff, from a sewing machine to my jewelry supplies to cookie/candy making to scrapbooking. There will be a recipe exchange. We are inviting a few people who sell Avon and the like to drop off booklets or take orders. And anything you might want to GIVE AWAY, bring for the FREE table.
Like some of us have a ton of old, unused Christmas cards that someone else can send out.
There is no fee, but for fun, we have asked everyone who attends to bring a nonperishable food item or new pair of gloves to donate Sunday at the local mall. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/01/2007 08:31:00 PM
