I'm thinkin' FOOD!

So I am in the shower thinking this morning. (I take showers three times a year now!) I do the important thinking in the shower, another reason I shower three times a year – don’t want to hurt the brain. I think I might ask for a three day weekend. I could really use it. I am getting to the point where I need some time away from work, and the next time that will happen is Indy 500. There is no way I can wait that long. Oh, and my other thought in the shower this morning was how it was strange that Bart was not trying to jump in. He might be afraid of the outdoors – but the shower he loves!

Other than that, I just want it to be 5:30 so I can go home, throw on jeans and go to the concert. As much as I wish I had someone to go with – it should be a good time.

OH and why do people at work think it is their job to find me a guy? Don’t they have anything better to do with their time? They sent me a questionnaire to fill out and I sent it back say “Do I look like and idiot!” (The answer is NO Kyle, Willy, and Sean.)

Well I have stuff to get done before the boss comes back tomorrow – so I am off to eat! Yes, food comes before work. Like I said, I am not an idiot!

on my own

Well, it looks like none of my friends are able to join me at the Queen concert. Who would turn down a free ticket, in the suite?? MY FRIENDS! I understand though - work comes first. But this is a free concert that will be a blast. At least there is a co-worker going with her boyfriend - so I will know someone in the suite.

Sleepless Night

I couldn't sleep last night. All I did was lay there and try to sleep. While I was trying to sleep, I was thinking about work. This is usually the reason for me not sleeping. Last night it hit me that I have a show in two months. We just had a show, and now we have one in two months. I have a show guide to put together in a month - and not one exhibitor has sent me there information. I have to get all the speakers bios and presentations - but who am I kidding, I am lucky to get those a day before the event takes place! Yet, most of my time is being spent on the barter agreements for our Maritime show in September. I know my job is all about prioritization, but when my boss wants one item done first - it messes up your line-up. Who would put a September show before a May show? Anyway, so I was up all night trying to make sure we have everything scheduled for the press conference and my outline for the show directory - and the speakers, trying to think of some way they will actually hear me when I give them a deadline for information I need. No offence, but speakers tend to think they rule to world. They don't - they have just agreed to speak on they expertise.

Other than not sleeping, I am in a fairly good mood. I have come to the conclusion that my friends from "home" won't be coming to the DC area for a long while. As much as I miss my brother and the guys, that is how it is. Kyle, I will see you in July on the beach. Willy, if you come see your father - let me know, we can meet up again. Sean & Christine, I don't know when I will be back - but I will see you then. I was in Rochester seven times at the end of last year. I am not really up for a trip back yet, as much as I would like to see you all.

One thing that I am dying to do, that I haven't done in years, is have a large McDonald's extra think milkshake drinking contest. Man, the last time I did this was between Aaron (an old co-worker/friend) and me, when I worked in radio. We were always trying to beat each other in everything we did. Needless to say, he won that contest - but that was the best contest we ever had. Neither of us could move we were so full!

Well I best get ready for work - I have barter agreements to finish and a show to get ready for...did I mention it was in two months? Cos it is...two months. Where does the time go?

Tomorrow - Queen
Next Friday - Blue Collar Comedy Tour - (call me a redneck, but I love them)

I promised Kari that I would post my favorite picture from her wedding. Well this is it...us in out typical look, not in the wedding get-up. So here it is Kar - this may not be the best shot, but it is my fav shot of us! (even though it makes my butt look HUGE) Love ya girl.

Ask me!

Ask me what I am doing on Thursday night!! Ask me Ask me!!

QUEEN CONCERT BABY! Oh Yea - Brad and I will be there having an grand ol'time in the suite seats.

Pizza on a stick

My friend and I never really got the concept of that - but Okay!

So I commented on this guys blog. Somehow I came across it this weekend while I was doing my blog reading. I don't know what I hit - but hey - there was a pic of a sail boat, and I found myself reading. Seems like an interesting person. Sounds like he would fit in well with us - well for the goofy side of us. Oh, and I did a nice comment - not the jerk ones that people tend to post.

My weekend was good. Friday night - Mom and I had wine and chatted. After she left I relaxed, it was a tiring week. Saturday, worked on the bathroom and that night I met out the three guys I met at a basketball game. I went to a bar in Baltimore...bit of a drive - but it was well worth it. They are fun guys - and it was one of their birthday's. It is always interesting getting to know a new crowd. They are a blast - but they aren't college fun, they are late 20's fun. (If that is such a thing.) It wasn't about getting smashed - well except for the birthday boy - it was about having fun with your friends! Plus it was fun going to Baltimore - usually I head towards Virginia. Sunday - finished up most of the bathroom. I will have to post a pic - it is really nice. All that is left is baseboard and grout the tiles.

Pizza on a Stick - $1
Jell-O Shots - .75 or 2 for $1

Name that Greece Ghetto Bar! (Hint - Swamp)

The Three Stooges 

Kyle - trying to look like a lobster again? 

Willy - lookin' good buddy! 

Sean - did ya drink a little too much? 

DECISION MADE

I have decided...it is time for my friends to come and see where I live. I have lived in the DC area for two years now. Switched jobs a year ago and would love to see my friends. I still don't know many people...and again - I would LOVE to see my friends! To show how much I love ya guys - I will post pictures. Christine, start counting your lucky stars that I don't have such pictures of you. But don't worry - I will get them! Since you are married to one of my good friends - I will get them!

Just one thing - please don't bring Gretta. Christine, I am sorry, nothing mean to Gretta - but I would like you guys to come in one piece. :)

Did someone say POOP?!

Dad and I decided to start working on my bathroom floor this past weekend! Tearing up one floor ended up to be tearing up three layers of flooring - we weren't shocked after what we found in the kitchen. When we got to the subfloor, even that needed to be replaced. It looked like the toilet had flooded at some point (years and years ago) and no one fixed the problem - they just tried to cover it up, and cover it up again! It took two days to level the floor and put new tile down. I will have to show the final picture soon. We cut the tile outside using my old sink as a workbench!
The best part - the sink and the toilet is still out there - lookin' good! Can you say "white trash!" Hey the way I see it - I just added a second bathroom to my place, and this one has a great view with good ventilation. Basically you guys could poop - and we wouldn't smell it!! Christine, you might want to consider getting a bathroom such as this one.

Amends

I did something today, at first I wasn't sure if I was doing the "right" thing, but in the end, I believe I did.

This afternoon, I was working on a proposal to host a show in Europe at the end of the year, and I just needed to get away for a couple minutes, but still work on it. I picked up the phone and called Chase Pitken and found my self asking for Craig Wheeler. Yes, I called Craig. I did this to congradulate him on receiving and offer from Wegmans. He was shocked to hear from me, but he seemed happy. We had a nice conversation, he asked what I was doing now and then he wanted to clear the air from two years ago. To me, there is nothing to clear - it was two years ago, and if I was still mad about things then: 1. I need to get a life and 2. I wouldn't be calling him to say best of luck in his future endeavourers. There is no reason to dislike someone for their actions that were years ago. We didn't exchange numbers and say "lets be bussom buddies;" it was a chat with a deeper meaning saying things are good and we still wish eachother the best even though we didn't end on good terms.

In the beginning, I was a bit unsure of my actions. At the end, I believe to took the right route.

my bad :(

I have to apologize for what I said in my morning post. I had mentioned a guy that I had a meeting with that gives me a headache...to say the least. When he arrived he asked me to meet him in the office I had set him up in. When I went in, there was a gift sitting on the desk for me, a late valentines gift. Thinking back, he called me on Valentine's Day to wish me a wonderful day and to hope that my evening would be spent with a great guy, I had thanked him and said there is no great guy - but I will have a great dinner myself. He and his wife went out and got me a beautfil glass box with dried flowers in the glass. The point of this, even though he can be a little rough around the edges, I do know he is a very kind person. He doesn't even know me that well, and he is very kind to me. Thank you Bill (even though you don't see this).

Smiles

Today was a great morning. I get out of the shower, open up my curtains to find that it had just started snowing. It was one of those mornings you wished it were a weekend so you could sit there, drink coffee and watch it snow. (I am not is Rochester anymore - it NEVER snows here.) But just knowing it was snowing, it just made you smile. Even Bart enjoyed sitting his little butt by the window and chancing snow flakes!

My drive to work, I threw in a CD I made two years ago title "Moving to Virginia" - I just wanted to hear what was on there. There was a song from Romeo and Juliet - and then I just started to think back on my Shakespeare class at Purdue - one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. Shakespeare reminds you of all the simple things in a relationship, such as "palm to palm is thy holy palmers kiss." Remember when we were little - it made your week when you held someones hand. Now, if I am dating a guy - how our hands fit together is huge! You want it to be a good fit - but also, you want to feel safe when holding his hand. It is a good feeling.

Also on my drive...my dad came into my mind. The other day, dad asked a very important question, "Why do people use an umbrella in the snow?" As I was driving, and it is snowing the beautiful snow, I see a wierdo using an umbrella. It isn't raining - it's snowing!! Snow doesn't get you nearly as wet - plus, who doesn't like snowflakes on their nose? No umbrella's people - go out there and have a little fun!

Once I got to work, I am walking in and I notice that Hot Guy from floor 7 was walking in front of me!!! This is always a good thing and if you are lucky, this happens once a month. This time - he talked to me!!! Hot Guy actually talked to me. He asked what was on floor five - I said a bunch of wierdos trying to have fun at work. In return I asked what was on floor 7, and he said a bunch or dorks. HEY, I BELONG ON FLOOR 7 THEN!!! He even has manners, he held the doors for me, and let me in the elevator first. Gentleman and Dork, can't beat that.

Well I hope the rest of my day can live up to my morning! I highly doubt it seeing that the guy that gives me the biggest headache will be in the office for a meeting from 12-5. FIVE HOURS OF BEING STUCK IN A ROOM WITH A SHORT OLD GUY THAT THINKS HE IS THE BEST THING THAT WALKED THE PLANET!! He kinda reminds me to dumber (one of the guys that moved mom and dad into their house two years ago - the one that thought that the world wouldn't/couldn't exist with out him!)

I am off!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Home

Home has always been defined as: home is where the heart is. This can mean many different places to different people. When you are younger, it is your parents house - where ever that might be. Home can be the town where you spent most of you childhood growing up before moving. It can be your dorm room when you are in college, or your apartment when you move out. Even your first house. Growing up, I have had many "homes" but one of them is shutting it's doors next month. Chase-Pitkin. I worked there for six years before moving over to Wegmans, giving me seven years with the "family". I remember my first interview, and what I wore, and why I wanted to work there (my brother worked there) - and now eight years later they are closing.

Chase-Pitkin became my life. Most of my friends worked there, it was the meeting place before heading out for the night, and it was where you went on your day off to see your friends. This place became my home, it became the place where I spent 90% of my time. If it weren't for Chase-Pitkin I wouldn't know or have been friends with Sean, William, Chris, Cook (you know you guys loved him), Andy (drunken Plumbing associate), Craig, Matt, Julie, and many many more.

Sean - thank goodness for Friendlies, Olive Garden and Britney Spears!
William - roommies - and our all night CP chats
Chris (aka cat or doc) - I am glad I met you before you left to work at the hospital.
Cook - (Franco too) paint sticks - who could hit harder - man the bruises I would get!
Andy - vodka in the water bottle, and the tool room (need I say more)
Craig - he was confindant that he could do anything that he put his mind to.
Matt - Uhaul - ready? "Pizza dudes got 30 seconds!"
Julie - rugs, rugs, and more rugs...and our ability to get all the hot plumbing and lumber guys!
Kyle - I couldn't stand your boss, and I enjoyed him getting in trouble for being a jerk! Thank you for letting your little sister tag along with the guys every week, which turned into every night!

Thanks for all the laughter, and the fights, and all the hugs. Chase-Pitkin may not have been our ideal place to work, but it is what brought us all together, and for that - I love it!

Words of Wisdom:
Remember to take time for yourself. Relax, listen to the music you like, go for a walk. Do nothing - no tv, no phone. Write in a notebook and see what comes out. It is amazing what you might have in your head, and you will never know unless you give yourself time to figure it out.

Part of your world

About two years ago I posted a blog on Kelly Land. Today, I was cleaning my place and one item that I cherish I rearranged, my bulletin board. I have had this since I was a little girl. I have never really used it as a bulletin board, it has always been my memory board, and today I changed it up. Even though I changed it, there are a couple items on there that have been there for years, and I don't foresee them coming down for a while.
Item number 1: My Indy500 pin. I don't know what year I was there, but I believe it was when we lived on Bending Oak Drive (which means it was before I hit 6th Grade)
Item number 2: My Purdue Patch - this I got when Kyle was at Purdue and I was in the 11th grade. It was on a pair of PJ bottoms and I tore it off one day when I was mad. So now it then went on my board and hasn't come off.
Item number 3: A poem written by a youth group friend about a retreat I had been on. It is a poem that makes you remember that you have to open up and let people into your life, or you who will you have to lean on?!
Item number 4: My Purdue pin - this I got at orientation with Mike and my Dad! HIGH FIVE!
Item number 5: A picture of Rudie - one dad took of Rudie laying by the pond. This picture is very faded because it used to be in my window - and it moved to my board. One of my favorites of him!
Item number 6: A Happy Anniversary card - It was valentines day, I was a sophmore at Purdue - and of course wasn't dating. My friend Jay was on his way to pick up his girl for dinner and brought my a pink flower with that card, and said "sorry, they didn't have one that said Happy Valentine's Day" - I will never forget that. He was a friend that I will never forget - he never forgot about me, and made sure I knew it. I just hope I did the same for him.
Item numer 7: Serene (college roomate) made each of us a index card with our names on it for our boards in our dorm. It has gone from my dorm board to my board here.

I mentioned before that I had written about Kelly Land, well as I rearranged some things - I brought me into Kelly Land. I was going thought all these great memories as I cleaned up a bit and it made me realize, it is time I start making more memories. I was reading past blogs - and they are all consistant. They all talk about work. So my self resolution is to get out there, meet new people, make new memories. Now is the hard part - how?

Words of Wisdom:
Everyone has faults, instead of being annoyed by those, learn to cherrish those - for that is the first thing you will miss once that they are gone. If you learn to love those faults, then they will always be there.

Post 200 - Routine

Yesteryday I got home from my second show. I say my second, becuase I have helped out at another division's show. This show went well, I really can't complain. This show was more tiring than the other two. We didn't really have late nights with the "clients" The latest I went back to my room was 9:30, but man did it feel like it was 2. Any who, I am back home and have slept about 16 hours and am back into my routine. I am sitting here drinking coffee and getting ready to go grocery shopping. I was going to go food shopping before the show - but there was no time. I hate grocery shopping, but I also hate not having food in the house.

I thought I would catch eveyone up on Bart. He is doing well. He really missed me while I was gone. Hasn't left my side yet. Cute, but getting annoying. I am starting to feel bad that I need to step out for an hour to get food. He is getting bigger - but still cute. Dad says he still has his wussy meow! And he does. But in all reality - he is a wuss. He is afraid to go outside by himself. I can leave the screen door wide open and he will just sit there and watch - and when he hears people in the distance he sprints to hide under the bed! He is one little scardey cat! But he is my little scardey cat! It is really funny - if you could see it. I will even have the screen closed, and he will still do it!

Well I am off to catch up on my blog reading and work on the place! Hey Willy - you know the clock you got for our apt, you still have it where you and K live - I got the same one for my living room. Dorky - i know, but I never said I wasn't a dork!

Miss you guys!!

Words of Wisdom -
Don't let anyone intimidate you, no matter who they are! Stand up straight, smile, and BE YOU! If you let others intimidate you, you will go no where, and be no one. Everyone has a wonderful attribute - let it shine.

Walkaway Joe

I love this song...I know it seems depressing, but I love it. Although, I would never wish a "walkaway joe" on any person. I guess I love this song, because I would love to think this could only be a song, and not anything that would happen in real life. But then that would makes me a dreamer. Yea, I can dream - even though I know the real world is just like this song. I love music, for all reasons - I just love it!

Walkaway Joe

Momma told her baby, girl take it real slow
Girl told her momma hey I really gotta go
He's waitin' in the car
Momma said girl you won't get far
Thus are the dreams of an average Jane
Ninety miles an hour down a lovers lane
On a tank of dreams
Oh if she could've only seen
But fate's got cards that it don't want to show
And that boy's just

A walkaway Joe
Born to be a leaver
Tell you from the word go, destined to deceive her
He's a wrong kinda paradise
She's gonna know it in a matter of time
That boy's just a walkaway Joe

Now just a little while into Abilene
Pulls into a station and he robs it clean
She's waitin' in the car
Underneath the Texaco star
She only wanted love didn't bargain for this
She can't help but love him for the way he is
She's only seventeen
And there ain't no reasoning
So she'll ride this ride as far as it can go
Cause that boy's just

A walkaway Joe
Born to be a leaver
Tell you from the word go, destined to deceive her
He's a wrong kinda paradise
She's gonna know it in a matter of time
That boy's just a walkaway Joe

Somewhere in a roadside motel room
Alone in the silence she wakes up too soon
And reaches for his arm
But she'll just keep reachin' on
For the cold hard truth revealed what it had known
That boy's just

A walkaway Joe
Born to be a leaver
Tell you from the word go, destined to deceive her
He's a wrong kinda paradise
She's gonna know it in a matter of time
That boy's just a walkaway Joe

~Trisha Yearwood & Don Henley

What a Girl Wants

Last night I was talking to my cousin, who I haven’t spoken with in a long time. We go through our times of being great friends and not speaking at all. For no reason really, that is just the way it has always been. Any who, the first question out of her mouth was “How’s Mike?” My answer “Mad at me, well at least he was the last time I saw him.” She knew from that statement that things we over. We got chatting about our “adult” boyfriends. Both of us hasn’t really dated all that much. Neither of us are the game daters…where you go from date to date and date a bunch of guys. Both of us, in a way, want the fairy tale. So we went through the guys we dated:

First there were Brian and Chris. Brian and Jessie lasted about two years. Chris and I were about two years as well. These boys, man did we like them, and boy did we think we had our fairy tails. Brian was too smothering, he gave Jessie everything she wanted but there was no sense of surprise or adventure. Chris, he was more about looks and if you know anything about me – I am defiantly not that. So we all parted and went our separate ways.

Second there were Blake and Craig. This is the point of dating where I would say Jessie and I were on crack, yes, crack. WHAT WERE WE THINKING!!!! Blake was too over the top for Jessie – but Jessie had fun with the chase in the beginning! Craig, he just had a temper, but I enjoyed all the walks we would take and talk about life. In the end, it just came down to – what the hell were we thinking!!

Last – Sean and Mike. Sean lives 150 miles away from Jessie, and seems to be afraid of a relationship. Mike lives 5 miles away from me and seems to be afraid of relationships. Who wants to walk on eggshells all there lives?

What we want? That is simple. In a relationship – there should be honesty, friendship, laughter, and communication. As a plus, being a girl, to find a guy that isn’t all about the looks. Yes, it is great to look nice for the guy you like, but there are times when wearing sweatshirts and jeans are a must!

Networking

I have learned something - do not network at a bar when your boyfriend is there. I met this guy at a bar that is moving to the DC area and would like to find a job working in event planning - so I told him that is basically what I do...bla bla bla and gave him my business card. Well the boyfriend saw that, got pissed and left the bar. He thought I was flirting and trading numbers. One - I would NEVER do that when I was dating someone, especially when I was with a guy I really liked. Two - did he have any trust in me? We were both pissed...and to him that meant time to break up. Hell, why would you want to talk about things anyway - and he wondered why I wanted to make sure we communicated! So that is that. All girls out there, do not Network at a bar when your boyfriend is there. You think you are being nice getting to know someone in your field - but no - you are getting ready for a break up!

But I am not the only one that had a crappy weekend - so did Willy! I am really sorry to hear that your car was stolen. That really sucks. Too bad we don't live close enough for a vent night. You can tell me all about work and your car - and I could tell you why guys suck!

Well, Josh and I are hanging out on Wednesday - so that will be nice. I might go skiing with him this weekend if it snows - and if I have the money - and if I don't have to work. KYLE DON'T LAUGH! I CAN SKI, I AM JUST NOT AS GOOD AS YOU!

Girls Night

From what I hear, it is time for a Girls Night. T and I were leaving work the other night and our office manager stops us to chat. Now don't get me wrong, but when it comes time to leave work, the last thing I was to do is chat. Well...chat we did, and apparently it is time for a lovely Girls Night. (notice the sarcasim, not excitement) There are certain girls I don't mind going out for a beer with after work and catching up on our personal lives, because we get along, and we know what is said between us, stays there. Then there are others who if you say boo to, the whole office will hear about it the next day at work. And that is just temping - especially when I am outside of work.

Temping how? This makes me want to plant things in our conversations that would lead to good office gossip. To me, this is exciting, and they are to my office friends as well. Could this lead to trouble - YES - and that is the best part. I have always wanted to catch a certain person in spreading stories when we on the basis of "what happens in __ stays in __." You know that never happens, som twerp always tells. One day I almost started an rumor that my coworker was pregnant or that I was just to get this girl going and pin her so maybe she would get the hint and shut her mouth.

This girl doesn't like the fact that the people in the back of the office are good friends. So she makes up her own rumors just to humor herself and see what trouble she stirs. She had me quitting and going to parties with "the enemy" - too bad I have never met them because they sound like really neat people. I have to get myself invited to the next party - so next time I can say - Why yes, I was out with them!!! What's it matter to what I do in my personal life anyway?

Anywho, so it is girls night out time. Not sure when it will be, but it is coming. Do I fake sick, or do I go and try to have a bit of "fun" with it?!

music machine

I could really use that record right about now. I could use any pick me up. The past two weeks have been crappy. I am stressed with the show coming up, and working my butt off trying to get things done - yet I feel like I am just being crapped on. I try to put a lot in to what I do, and everytime I just get shot down. I am sick of being shot down and having to run something in print of post something on the web when it is politically incorrect, gramatically horrible, and just plain aweful when I wrote the same information in a more pleasing way. It is always the bosses way or the highway. He doesn't know how to open up and see that his way may not be the correct way to go about it. Then he turns it around at puts it on others when the bad wrap comes crashing in. Or when the poor press release goes out, he wonders why no one responds. I will write a press release with the eye catching information and I get "no no no no no no no" And then he cuts all the eye catching information out, and has me turn in press release that if I worked in a mail room I would toss.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind getting constructive criticism - but when it is everyday with some of this poorly written information - it frustrates me. And if he was turning me down because I wrote the wrong information or because he didn't like by writing style that is one thing - but it is just becuase it has to be his way.
Thank ya'way it's Friday. Five more hours of this and home it is. I think I may even try to leave early. I really can't do this today, and it has put me in the grumpiest mood - I hate being in grumpy moods. And it the one where you feel like you will cry if you lose your pen or if anything doesn't go the way you would like. I am one of my moods where I need to sit and write a 14 page letter just to get it all out.

bullfrogs and butterflies

Ah, another week is starting. It is getting to the point where I have so much work to do, I don't know where to begin - yet I have to time to sit here and type. This weekend went fast. Saturday I slept in and then went to Mike's to watch the Redskins game. During the game I learned how fun it is to slide down the basement steps on a folded folding chair. It's amazing how fast you get going! Sunday, Mom and Dad came over and helped me work around the house. Dad fixed the vents and welded the copper piping together for my 14ft curtain rode. Mom and I redecorated. Moved things around in the kitchen and the living room. I was going to do a bit of work over the weekend, but that never happened!!

But I am sitting here now, thinking about all those shmucks that have today off and those few of us that are stuck here working. Although I did take my hour lunch as talked in the kitchen with some co-workers. OH! I also played Whackyourboss.com. There are 14 ways to Whack your boss - and it was very important for me to find all 14 ways - so I did. I was very proud of myself, that takes dedication!! As for my afternoon, I have a show guide due at 5 - have I started it - NOPE! I was supposed to be due on Friday, but it got pushed back to today. I have been trying to work on it for a week now, but things come up. So now I have 3.5 hours to get it done! But I would rather play games since the boss is out! work - play...work - play...man, decisions are the worst!

Words of Wisdom:
Do not put paper wrappers in the toaster oven! Tried it...fire!

Just a little Boost!

If anyone out there needs a little “pick me up” or a self esteem boost – give my dearest mother a call. I was driving home from work last night on the phone with my mom, letting her know I would be over soon to for Dad’s birthday dinner. As we were talking, I happened to mention I need to get my hair cut before my event in February. This was my mothers reply – “You need it sooner than that, and while you are at it, you need to get your brows done too. They are looking so bad, it is time you get them waxed – it is past plucking at this point.” She went on and on informing me how bad I look. THANKS MOM! So now, I am sitting at work, feeling all good about myself. My hair is atrocious, my brows are beyond help, and my face looks like a pizza. Yesterday – none of these thoughts were in my head, my mind was on work and the upcoming show. So I am about to make a hair cut appointment and try to find a place to get my brows waxed.

For the time being – these thoughts are being put on hold until I return. I have to go work and walk the convention center to make sure we are all set for the show. But when I return, don’t you worry mother dearest, I will find a place to work their magic – or so we hope!

DOH!

For those that like HTML - I am really sorry - but it drives me BATTY! You stare and you stare at your program looking for that little itty bitty teeny tiny mistake and it can take an hour or even longer. I have too much to do to be sitting here looking for that little itty bitty teeny tiny mistake.

Okay, that is all. I HATE HTML!

For willy

I love my job, don’t get me wrong. But there are things I really dislike. I don’t like it when people listen to my phone calls and then comment as to why I did or did not do something. That was my conversation, not theirs, and did they hear the person on the other line? NO! If the call was for someone else, I would forward it to that person. So butt out, thanks!

We are getting closer to show time, and edginess comes out in people. But that doesn’t mean you treat people the way people do in the office. I am very much a team player, but when everyone is taking an hour lunch and I am here working – please see that I am busy, so that means do your own work. We all have to do our own admin work since we really don’t have an admin for our division. Yes, we have some that works in our division that is called the admin, but she doesn’t even have the time to do other’s admin work. She has enough on her plate doing work for the 7-8 shows we have this year. I don’t know why people bitch so much about having to take their own notes and keep track of it. Suck it up and deal! That might mean you have to stay an extra 15 minutes one night – heaven forbid!

I am just trying to stay sane. 7 to 8 shows this year, and they all have conferences. Trying to keep all the barter agreements, sponsorships, speakers, exhibitors, and the marketing straight for each show is tiring. I really do like my job; I am just a bit frustrated. There is so many odds and ends to tie up, and when I am being pulled in ten different directions, it makes it rather difficult. So please excuse me if I am not chit-chatting or if I am a bit more serious during this time. I am not biting others heads off, I am just getting the work done the best I can and as quick as I can with little to no error.

So willy – this was for you. You wanted me to write, and so I did.

Yet another Tuesday

So today came and it is almost gone. Pretty soon I will be cooking myself dinner, and popping in a movie (at this time of year it is typically a Christmas movie) and relaxing until it is time for bed (or until I pass out on the couch) and then it will be another day. The days are going fast. Work is keeping me very busy, by the time I get home I am exhausted. Everyday it is contracts, speaking agreements, brochures, VIP tickets, exhibitors over and over and over again. But now I feel as if I am fighting for my job, trying to prove I am the right person for it.

So here it is, another night - Tuesday night - Gilmore Girl!! Usually that is a wonderful thing, but we are in repeats, and I am not so fond of repeats. So Christmas movie it is, and dinner. I need to go to the store, get tape and wrap presents - but that can be done tomorrow!

I know this weekend is Christmas, but it doesn't feel like it. My brother seems to be all excited, and this year - I am just not sharing that with him. I don't feel like the grinch, I kinda feel like Cindy Lou Hou in the beginning of the movie. You know, when she sings "Where are you Christmas?" It'll come, it just hasn't yet.

Tonight I might hang out with Mike. He seems to be having trouble with his scrabble game. Last time I kicked his butt, and it looks like I may have to do it again. Sorry Mike - truth hurts - I beat you in bowling and now scrabble...what's next?? Soccer? Basketball? I mean, the list can go on and on!

Well I am off to make dinner. Have a good night!

Oh Willy - where the hell is my broccoli casserole???

A new cookie to try!

TEQUILA COOKIES

1 cup of dark brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup of granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups of dried fruit, such as dried cranberries or raisins
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila(silver or gold, as desired)

_______________________________________________
Sample the Cuervo to check quality.

Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.

At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup.... just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, Pick the frigging fruit off floor...Mix on the turner. If the fried fruit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, FINISH the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

**** CHERRY MISTMAS ****

My list!

Dear Santa,

I been thinkings lots and since I only 4 1/2 months old I should get lots of presents! How bad can you be in such a little time?

So i pooped a coupled times outside the litter box, but i said sorry!

Here is my list:
1. a new ball with a bell in it - some meanie stepped on mine and broke it GRANDPA!
2. a choo choo train for the tree, could be fun to chase
3. my front claws back - it is very hard to ruin furniture or climb the curtains with out them
4. good treats - not those gross ones mom bought me before - but i did give the gross ones to my fat uncle hogan, he ate them cos he eat everything
5. more people in the famlily that I can sleep on, laps are more comfortable than the floor!
6. a new tree since I will probably ruin the one we have
7. a morning paper every morning - it is very hard to wait for sundays. There is something about spreading the sunday paper all over the house, it's fun!
8. all the dogs around here to go away, they are scarey!
10. World peace (oh wait, this isn't a beauty pagent - although i should be in one since I am so damn cute!)
11. Oh, and a couch that fits on the window sill. I would like something comfortable to sit on as i try to scare all the people that walk by.

If you bring me all these, I promise I won't eat the milk and cookies, unless you don't want them!

thank you santa,
Bart

Christmas is in the air

Today was a tough day at work. No one had any sort of focus for work, people were just walking around asking others what they were doing. And when you are trying to focus, it just makes it more difficult.

I would like to apologize for any misspelling now. I can't see the screen, for Bart is in my way chasing the curser!

Tonight I think Bart and I will bring out the tree. It might be fun to decorate a bit, and but the Thanksgiving items away (all three of them!). I am still needing to figure out what to get my person in the family and what to get for our work gift exchange. I think I have my person figured out in my family - but for work I am stumped! A lot of people are doing alcohol, but there are those that don't drink and those that don't like hard alcohol (me!) - so I don't want to get that. I may go to the mall during lunch tomorrow and see what I find.

So hints for who has me:
~a calendar for my wall.
~a new movie to have on hand (those are always fun - Blockbuster or Hollywood sell the used ones and you might be able to get Neploean Dynamite at a good price or even Dodge ball) Also I don't have any action movies. NO SCAREY MOVIES - I do like to sleep at night thanks! I would prefer not to have the movie Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - as funny as it might be, I just can't deprive others from having that movie.
~or something you think I might like. Something that reminds me who it came from.
~donate the money to a charity and tell me who it was donated to in a funny card

YOU PICK!

Okay, I am off to make dinner. Yum!
P.S. Bart can't wait to show everyone his letter to santa!

strings and whistles

Today was a very productive day. I haven't had much time to check my home email at work lately - which I miss my morning email time. I usually email my uncle, but the past three days when I get in early I have been working, not chat or play time. Kinda stinky if you ask me. Tonight, I brought the work home!! Yay! But that is okay.

Tomorrow Kib is coming over and staying the night. It will be nice to have the company and just sit back, relax and not do anything - but have that company to do that with. Friday, Tim and I are supposed to be hanging out. Not sure what we are doing, but it'll be fun - always is. Hey - ice skating, I don't think I stopped smiling once! Then Sunday (from what I hear) I am chaparoning (spelled wrong i know!) a kids' birthday party. Party starts at three, so I have my morning to work around the house, which is good!

So, we have one more holiday left this year...Christmas. We, my family, are supposed to leave hints as to what we want for Christmas. You see, we draw names each year and we don't know who has each other - and since none of us know what the other wants, we are to drop hints as I mentioned. Since I just bought a couch - I can delete that from my list. So let's see, what suttle hints can I leave??? I would like a new car, I guess that will do. You can decide between a proche or a ferrari - you know me! Decisions are the worst! In all reality, I don't really know what I want, let alone need. So bare with me on the hints!!

As for Bart - he is preparing his list for Santa, I will post it when he is finished!!

They think they are sooooo funny! (this is my family hiding) 

Shhhh! Bart's sleeeeeeeeeeeping. 

As Dad would say "Which one's the monkey?" 

Funk

Ever since I found out Rudie passed, I have been in a funk. I was pretty grouchie after Kyle left town, and today - still not there. I don't know - it'll pass - it is just annoying. I don't really want to do anything, so I make myself do it.

Last night I drug mom out with me to go couch shopping. It is nice to have a second opinion on something that people will be sitting on besides yourself. We have gone to a couple places, but last night we went to Value City Furniture. I ended up buying my first couch. It is nice - and not too pricey!! It comes a week from tomorrow, so that will be fun.

Oh, another thing I have done was start to decorate for Christmas. I thought that would put me in a better mood. I made a super cheesey fireplace on my wall and hung Bart and my stockings on it.

Above are some pictures from when Kyle was in town. He had some better pictures - I mainly took ones of Bart. Hey - he was sitting still because of his de-clawing and de-balling - so I had to take advantage of it. He was a good sport. Now, back to kitty. But I do have to say that he isn't nearly as hyper as he was before his little proceedures!!!

Rudie Wash 

A Time For Everything

Ecclesiasties 3:2
a time to be born, a time to die...

I come on from work yesterday, met up with my family and I found out that Rudie had passed away. Rudie was with us for 17 wonderful years. We got him at LollyPop Farm in Rochester, NY and he cheerfully came with us where ever we went - Colorado, back to Rochester, Connecticuit, DC, and Maryland. He was happiest when he was with the fam - or outside chacing a mouse! Rudie was the best cat we could has asked for. We will miss him with all of our hearts. So I wanted to share some great memories about Rudie...

When I was little, he was the most patient cat/kitty - I found out he fit perfectly into my dolls clothes, and he would lay there and let me dress him up!! Not many cats will let you make them look like dolls.

When we lived in Colorado, Rudie got into a fight around Christmas time, and another cat bit him near the tip of his tail. The bite went all the way trough the tail, so we had to shave that part - and at the tip of his tail, all that was left was this ball of furr! It made a great look for Christmas pictures.

When we got Hogan in Colorado, Rudie had no trouble making sure Hogan knew he wasn't welcome. After some time (a lot of time) they became best friends and there was no such thing as taking a nap with out the other.

Rudie - we love you!

The picture of Rudie that Dad made me two years ago for Christmas - a picture that will always be hung in my home. 

This is Rudie receiving his care package when he moved to Connecticuit with Mom and Dad! He loved his treats!! 

Almost Turkey day!

Ahhh, tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Our office is rather humorous today. All the VP’s are hard at work, then there is everyone else – pretending as if they are working, but they really aren’t. We have a pot luck at 1, and everyone is walking around talking about how hungry they are. I on the other hand and spread papers all around my desk, and keep typing emails – fun emails at that – to make my boss think I am doing a good job. OH WAIT! I did update our conference agenda, and make one phone call!! That counts right? It is very hard to work when your brother is sending you pictures, via text message, of him shoving food in his mouth, and your friend is calling you to talk about appliances. Oh, Kar – I love yah hun – but I really don’t care what kind of dishwasher you have. Hey as long as it works I will be happy for you!

I get to pick up Bart after work today. Yesterday he was neutered and he had his from paws de-clawed. I missed him last night. I get home and there was no one there to greet me. No one to cook with, clean with, and watch Gilmore Girls with. But I made it through, and today my cute little kitty gets to come home!!!

Tonight, Kyle, Mom, and Dad are coming to dinner tonight. It will be nice. I will be making spicy O’nuts (spicy onion rings), bacon wrapped shrimp and scallops, and spicy stromboli. Hopefully all will be good. As for Bart – he gets kitten chow, and lots of lovin!!

Well I am off to test the sloppy joes I made last night for our pot luck – I need to see if it is hot enough. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Best Time of Year - THANKSGIVING

Every year, we go around the table and say what we are thankful for. Now when it comes down to it, each person could spend a half hour on their list. And when I read Christine's blog - I had to do the same. Here is my list:

I am thankful for my family, the love, care, and support that they provide on a daily basis is something I will never forget. I love you guys!
I am thankful for my religion. It provides me with a path to follow and is a leaning post when needed.
I am thankful for my friends. Thank you for holding no expectations and always being there. I couldn't ask for better. (those in rochester, thanks for still being there, I love you guys so much)
I am thankful for my freedom.
I am thankful for pictures - they are the best present anyone can give. (yes, even those horrible pictures where your eyes are closed!)
I am thankful for education - for this we would not be capable to doing what we do today.
I am thankful for feelings, it is what makes your days what they are.
I am thankful for Bart - my little terror - how can I not love him!! (and Bart is thankful for he is getting de-balled and de-clawed the day before thanksgiving!!)
I am thankful for the roof over my head - heat, electicity, and water (hot water!) - not everyone has this and that is something to be rememebered.
I am thankful for FOOD! And i am starving!!
I am thankful for my brother - K, I don't know where I would be with out you. Plus, you are a great cook!! Even though we don't live in the same town anymore, I know we live under that same sky, that same sun, and those same stars and that makes it okay.
I am thankful for technology - and maybe someday I will get to go to space and view the lovely planet we live on. Because of technology, we are able to communicate as we do today.
I am thankful for laughter - now who doesn't enjoy a good laugh.
I am thankful for my Mom and Dad. They are the two people that brought me up, allowing me to follow my dreams, let me choose the path I felt was right. And because of them, I have a wonderful brother, I am living a life that I love, I have a place to live, a great job, and a cute little kitty.
Last - I am thankful for memories. Holidays are the times where you reflect. You look back over the years of all the good times you had. It is a time when you also refelct on those that have past, and you reminisce on all great times you had.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Honesty

My dad brought me up to be honest, and the more I hear people lie the more it pisses me off. Now I know some people exaggerate about things and sometimes it is the small crap, but when you lie to someone or you are exaggerating something that is important or can really hurt another person or your company – then I think it is completely inappropriate and inexcusable. Today, it has been a day of lies. I go to read this article, and it says our company has 70 people in the corporate office – NO we have 35, but we do the work of 70. Then I over hear a woman I work with get lied to, right to her face, and I can tell she is seeing right through the lies. HELLO! If you don’t have good news, just say – don’t try to BS your way around it. I would rather get the flat out truth then someone try to lie to make me feel better. I am sooo sick of it. If someone calls me and I am not ready for the conversation, I don’t say I am on my way into a meeting, I ask if I can call them back in such and such a time when I am prepared to give them the answers they are looking for. I don’t BS people and I don’t want them to BS me. I, flat out, don’t like liars – and that is what I have been working with today. If you don’t want me to trust you – lie to me – then I will never trust you, and I will have to verify everything you tell me. Plus, you will never be a friend – always an acquaintance.

One more thing - if mike calls me and hangs up one more time, I am driving to his work and we will have a talk – I AM SICK OF IT – call me if you want to say hi, not to hang up.

Wedding Season is Over!!

The past 5 days have been great! Thursday morning I was pretty stressed. I wanted everything to be perfect for my dear friend's wedding and I felt like I was missing something. I was at work, my computer wasn't working and I get a text message on my phone. I check it, and it is Tim - he offered to make me dinner AND bring it to me! How can I pass that up! I get out of work, and Tim had a meal ready for me with a glass of wine and a movie! It was a very relaxing night leading into my hectic weekend. So I thank Tim for dinner and a relaxing night that I really needed!

Friday morning I was up at 3:30 to get ready for the weekend and head off to the airport! My flight was at 6 something so I could be in Rochester by 9. Friday went fast, I through a laid back gathering for all the girls at my aunts house, then we all got ready and headed off to the rehersal dinner. After dinner we went to the comedy club. We were all a little too tired for that, but it was fun.

Saturday, I was up early to alter my dress and have tea with Grandma. After that, I met up with Kyle and Willy - and we ate breakfast/lunch at Bruegger's and got a cell phone for Kyle then grabbed a beer at Thirsties! One of the best parts of the weekend if you ask me! After that I was off to Bridal bootcamp and rehersal, and the beginning of pictures! That was easy and went fast. That night we ate dinner at McGreggor's and has Girl's Night Out at the Roost! Line Dancing was a blast - and I think all the girls had a great time! We were all in bed by midnight - since it was up at 5:45 to get beautiful!!

Sunday the bridal party was at Shadow Lake by 7am to start getting our hair done. 1pm we start pictures. It was nice to have the pictures before the wedding - made for an easier afternoon!! The wedding was short and sweet. There was an elderly lady making not so nice comments of each girl walking down the isle - I don't think she realized how loud she was! Apparently some of us weren't so pretty or a little on the heavier side! After the wedding, we had cocktails, which lead right into the reception. Jeremy (bestman) and I gave our speeches and we had a great night. By the end of the reception hair was down and the dresses were off, we were dancing in the pj's that we wore that morning while we were getting ready!

Monday morning I was up way before the sun to catch my flight home! The weekend went fast, and it was a great way to end my wedding season! Seven weddings, and now there are none! Congradulations to all my friends and family that got married this year!

Now - prep for Thanksgiving!!! MY BROTHER IS COMING!!!

Aerosmith - what?

This morning there was this little blow out at work. My boss saw what was going, but didn't really know what was going on. He asked me, but if I told him - it would have made it ten times worse. When it came to lunch time - I had to get out. I was up near our receptionist - and she was like: "kel have you read your emial?" and i replied "no, not in the past hour, why?" She told me to check it before I left. Come to find out, our CEO has box seat for the Aerosmith concert tomorrow night, and the first 6 people to respond back got to go. So, of course, I replied back! Come to find out - I AM IN!!!! Tomorrow night, I will be in the corporate box at the aerosmith concert!! Oh, and Barb got in as well!!! We are a weeee bit excited. So I sent out an email this before I left stating the dress code: platform boots, fishnets, fake leather minis, tub tops, purple and blue eyeshadow, and bright red lipstick. Hey, if we are going, we might as well class up the joint! Six girls at an Aerosmith concert - the guys just weren't fast enought to reply! Sux to be them!

Hjuuuhgy (bart says hi!)

Well I am off to make dinner!

TV - got me thinking...

Okay, I am not sure how much of the sentimental girl I am – but I like the happy ending. I like the girl to get the guy, when you think they are right – but when the guy is a creap, I defiantly don’t want the girl to get the guy. So I am watching television last night – waiting for the trick-or-treaters, and it just got me thinking. I see this girl who likes a guy on this show – but I don’t know if they should date. And then, she is putting herself out there – and how do you know if he likes her back. Then there is this other girl who still likes the guy that she is no longer dating. Well at the end of the show, you find out the ex may not want to lose her while talking to the girls sister, and the sister said to the guy – leave her alone until you know. Which is right – you don’t want to get the girl’s hopes up. Well all this got me thinking – I hate this part of life. I hate the dating scene. You never know if something is right. You might get along perfectly – and then the next minute it is over, and you are wondering why? Am I not smart enough, pretty enough? Did I not like the right things? All these things go through your mind – and life just sucks. I have had one bad break-up, and I know my close friends hated him, but that crushed me, and for the longest time I was wondering if we would ever get back together. Later I realized, with the help of my friends – we were defiantly not right for one another. But it still sucked. Any who – I hate dating. I hate putting your heart out there to get hurt. I hate thinking that you may have found some really great person, then realize what a jerk that person can be. Then I think of some guys I blew off because it just wasn’t the right time for me…and they are guys I still see and they are so genuine and caring that I wonder why I never gave them a chance. I guess that is life. If one of those guys were to ask me out – I would most likely still say no. Why is that?

You never know what life brings – maybe some day I will meet that guy that will make me smile. Yes, there will be hard days, and things won’t always be perfect – what relationship is? As long as you stick together, and work it out – and keep making eachother smile and laugh – and be honest, that is what counts, besides the love. There is so much more than love.

Okay enough mushy yuck yuck – I am off to go home and terrorize my kitty and give the sucker a bath!!! Plus I need to call a friend and give him hell for the Eagles/Bronco’s game!

Two Down - Many To Go!

I have worked two shows now - and this last show was a little more of a learning curve. I have learned more of "what not to do" and some things we might want to try for our other shows. One thing is the receptions - those were a hit. At those, I have learned that when the sponsors of the reception are from a different country, and drinking is the thing to do - "no thank you" is an insult. When they give you a drink, you drink and act like you can't wait for the next. I am just lucky that I had a friend there I could go up to and politely say "I'm a goner" and they will make sure I get back okay. I have also learned to write down your hotel room number somewhere, so when it comes time to go night night, you know where to go. I should be sending Tony a thank you note for taking good care of me. He was my saving grace. All in all everything went well, but I am exhausted!

Now I have a friend here for the night from NC. Her and her boyfriend. I like her boyfriend - very nice guy. He fits right in and is very polite! So I am off to be a good host - and not fall asleep!!

Dear Willie

Apparently this is the only way to for you to read this. If you are going to post, you have to know that your friend will want to respond. Notice how I said friends – that means we care, we love you. We have been apart of each others lives now for at least 5 years, some longer than others. That means no second guessing if we like you. Willie, if we take the time to talk to you, get to know you, hang out with you – that means you are liked. And what the hell do you care anyway? Do you like yourself? That is where you need to start.

Yes, your grandfather was a significant person in your life, and when he passed, it was an extremely difficult time for you. But you know what, he is still alive in your heart, and he always will be. You have all these reminders of him everywhere you go. Use that to your expense. Instead of wallowing, and missing him tremendously, continue to make him proud. He is still watching you, you just can’t see him. Your grandfather wants to see you use your talents to the fullest, not watch you sit on your loral’s and complain about it. Willie – get up, get out there and show yourself what you got, because Willie, you have a lot to give. (You don’t have to show us, we know, we are just waiting for you to figure it out!) Now it is up to you to prove it to yourself to do it.

And Willie, one more thing. The answer isn’t in drugs and alcohol or smoking for that matter, it is in you. And if you need a shoulder to lean on, man you have plenty of those! Don’t doubt that. You have a roommate who will be there to listen. Now he might be strong with advice, but listen – he is a pretty smart guy and it may help. You have Sean and Christine – both very smart people who care and will also give you good advice. And you know you will always have me. If you need another night, staying up chatting all night – count me in. Those are the best times – when friends are there for one another.

Slacker

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE!!!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you!

Okay, so I love my job, we all know that, I have said it about 10,000 times. And I do, I love my job. I enjoy the people I have met and the whole shebang. But as you can probably see coming – today has sucked. My day was going well, it is Friday – can’t get off to a better start to a day of work! Seriously, how can you not smile on a Friday? Well the day got worse and worse and worse. I have spent most of my day helping a very nice co-worker with something she doesn’t know how to do. And instead of taking the time, that we both don’t have, to show her how to do it, I did it for her. And I will show her how to do it when we have the time to spend on it. Now this other co-worker of mine, lets call him slacker, talks on his cell phone all day with his wife, family members, and friends. He is supposed to be our top sales person in our division, but you wouldn’t think so if you saw his work habits. Now he and I have our tiffs, and we can really work extremely well together. Well today, he has really done it. He has made me madder than ever before. I can almost say that our trust is gone.

So Slacker went to my boss and told him that he didn’t have time to do his own admin work. Now we all do our own admin work – that is part of the job. So my boss calls our division into a meeting to discuss Slacker, and how he doesn’t have time for this and we need to work together. Well the other person on our team has a show in three weeks – so she doesn’t have the time. Well Slacker got it all pinned down on me. So maybe a half hour after the meeting – does he not call me and ask me to update the verbage on his power point presentation and tell me he wants it in an hour. So I told him to do it himself!!!! My boss and I will be having a conversation. I do not have the time to do his “grunt” work just because he doesn’t want to. I will be a team player – but not when you go behind my back and get try to get me stuck with all your crap. I have my own crap to do!

HELP!

Okay, I need some help. Don't worry - not bad.
So my phone rang tonight, and I go to see who it is...it's Tim. Tim is a guy I went to college with, barely knew him in college - we just rememebered eachother, and I worked with him at Wegmans. So I see his name on the ID, and I answer. Now I haven't talked to tim in a couple months. When mike and I broke up, he was just starting to date someone - needless to say, we haven't talked since. Anywho, we are talking and he was saying it has been a while. Now when I first started my "new" job, he came over and I cooked him dinner because he was helping me out with the DVD project I had. (yes this ties in) So Tim was telling me it was so nice of me to make him dinner, and that he would like to hang out again. So he asked what I was doing this weekend, and just so happens, I am doing nothing. Somehow, we are going to dinner Saturday night before we go out with a bunch of Wegmans people. Now I am a bit confused. Now besides the fact that I don't have the money to go out in DC, I am confused as to why we are going to dinner and why he brought up me making him dinner while asking me to join in for the night. Plus he told me, I always look good when we go out. I am all over the place, but this call was random, and now saturday is random, and I am lost. someone help!

It is 5:30 yet???

I have been sitting here, staring at my computer all day. I don’t think I can do it any more. My eyes are so tired. I am supposed to get 50 formal letters of invitation out today. It is now about 4:00 and I have gotten 10 out. They take a little longer than you would think. Plus this morning I got stuck doing a bunch of other things. Tomorrow should go better. Someone, just please remind me to wear my glasses!

Besides work, things are going well. Bart is doing well. He has his own towel in the bathroom – he tends to get in the shower, then at night it is from a squirt gun! He is getting bigger, but he is still pretty cute.

This past weekend, I went to an UVa game in Charlottesville. That was fun. It wasn’t a Purdue game – but it was still fun. We did a little tailgating – which is always a blast. Had a couple cheesy burgers, a braut and a few beers. The weather was beautiful – perfect day for a ball game. UVa won – it came close in the end, but they pulled it off.

This weekend, relax with Bart. I have three more weekends home before I have to truck it back to good ol’ Rochester, and I am welcoming the break. I love being back there, but it is becoming a bit much. This next trip – I am not sure what to expect. It is the wedding I am maid of honor in, and there are many, many, many planned events. The closer we get to the day, the more planned events there are. I am beginning to think I won’t see anyone but the people are will be in or at the wedding. So I am considering getting a date. Yes, me take someone to the wedding. A couple weekends ago I went solo to mike’s wedding, and I hated it. It was the worst. I am trying to find Blakeslee’s number – I have seen him a couple times back home, but we keep forgetting to exchange numbers. We talk about doing it, but then things happen, and we forget. So I feel like a stalker trying to hunt him down!

Okay, enough ranting for me. Back to work. It has been whole five minute break!!

More Bart stories...

Two nights ago I am home, enjoying my time, playing with Bart. Then I had to pee - I know that is the last thing you want to hear - you'll deal. Anywho, so I had to pee. So Bart follows me in, I pee and flush. Bart was interested in the flush - he actually didn't run away this time. He slowly crawled up and was walking in circles around the toilet seat just watching. I knew right then I needed my camera - it was inevitable what was going to happen, and I had to catch it on camera. Well, after a few times circling the toilet seat, he slipped and in he went!! It was great, I had a towel ready and dried him off. Needless to say he was a bit scared, but boy did I laugh. Man, the small things just kill me!!

Every morning, Bart sits on the toilet (I keep the seat closed) while I do my make-up, and he just watches. He stays by my side. After work, I come home, and have to pee. (I know you are enjoying my pee stories!) Bart is always excited to see me every night! So I go straight to the bathroom and put the toilet seat up. Bart comes running, full speed into the bathroom and jumps up and right into the toilet!!! I was crying I was laughing so hard. He plopped right in and didn't even see it coming. Now he is a bit more careful before he jumps up on the toilet seat!

Well I am off to have beer with the girls from work!

Have a good weekend all!

Playing with the window shade strings! He is amused by pens and string! 

Bart sleeping in dad's tool box! 

Dad was babysitting Bart while mom and I went to Target. Bart was sleeping under his workbench. 

This is Bart after Dad got him out of the vent. 

Sleeping on my lap. (the camera woke him up) 

Update

Well, there has been a lot going on. First, Bart is feeling much better. I took him to the vet on Friday, and he had to go on a couple antibiotics to help his little kitty cold. Man does he hate taking his meds! After the vet, I had to pack Bart and my bags - I headed to Rochester and Bart to grandma and grandpa's for the weekend. Grandpa gets really good pics of Bart - those are his above. Needless to say, we are both happy to be home!

I was in Rochester for Mike and Kellie's wedding. It was a nice wedding, and Mike looked nice dressed as a penguin!! Although he still owes me a penguin dance. (Mary Poppin's) Now that Mike is married, things will change, and we both know it. I think it will help that I have changed jobs. I don't think I would have handled the changes well if we still worked together.

Work - work is going well. In two weeks I help out in a show, which will be fun. Derek and I are the two that get to kick back and have fun. Last show was my show, and I couldn't have the fun everyone else was having. This time - oh yea baby! I am in it to work and have fun. Derek is a good time - and since he lives in Baltimore he will know all the good places to eat and grab a beer! Other than that, work is work. Typical stuff, different day. Tonight I need to think about what I am going to say to my admin tomorrow. We are at her 45 day mark and at 90 we decide if we keep her or try again. So tomorrow is a chit-chat point. Fun times!!!

So, it is time to decorate for fall. I have been cleaning - well sean style cleaning. Picking up hear and there, and then well be the big clean job. But I was to get my fall stuff out. It isn't much, but it will be nice to have it out. I just can't wait to decorate for Christmas, jet my monkey stocking out, and now I need to get one for Bart! I love the holidays - even though they aren't like they used to be, I still love them. Although Kyle's face when he saw me on Christmas morning was priceless! This year, I am just waiting to hear what holiday I am hosting. No matter which one, it will be fun!

Okay, off to play with Bart.

Bla

Today I am just annoyed. Not sure at what - but everything is really annoying me. It is making it difficult, and I can't seem to snap out of it. I just want to go home and play with Bart. But I have to go home and pack, I don't want to go home and pack - I don't want to do anything! I am in need of a friend fix, and I don't know if this weekend will be the best weekend. Bla, who cares, I will go and return and go back to work. It is just getting old.

Phone

I was on the phone last night until about 1am last night. The night before it was 12:30. And I love my friends dearly, but I am really starting to hate the phone. But I can't not be there when they need a friend to talk to. So CP is shutting its doors with in the next year. Everyone seems to be in culture shock. Yes, they all have to find new jobs, but right now they are more in the phase "I can't believe it is actually happening." Yesterday I read a lot of the articles in the democrat and chronicle - I really shouldn't have. Some of the comments really make me made, but that goes back to CP being where you are treated like family. It is good to hear how much employees will miss the place, and how much they have enjoyed there time there! When I was there, I know we would all say that it sucks, and we hated what we did, but we all knew we loved it - or we would have left.

One more day until I truck it back to NY. I am really not looking forward to this trip like I was before. The only reason I am still going is because Mike really wants me there, so there I will be. Hopefully I will see Sean, Christine, Willie, and my brother. That will make the trip more worth while.

Well I best go get ready for work - I am being lazy, couldn't sleep - so that will make work even more difficult.

sorry - not in the best mood today.

News, news, and more news!

Today was another day, work was the same - nothing too exciting, but 5:30 hit and I was out the door. I took Bart to the vet today, got a clean bill of health, can't beat that!! However, on the way home from work, I got some unexpected news, Chase-Pitkin is closing it's doors. Now to those that don't know Chase-Pitkin (CP), that is the place I worked for 7 years. That is my "home" where I met all these amazing friends which are like family. Just think, I started to work there because my brother was there! This was something we all knew was coming, but I expected CP to last for another 5 years, not now. My heart goes out to all my friends that are still employeed by CP, they have some big changes headed there way. I know CP will offer them jobs at Wegmans, but take it from someone who knows - Wegmans is no comparison to CP. CP had the family sense to it, Wegmans lacked that family sense. CP is tools and home projects, Wegmans is food. What, are they going to ask the former lumber manager or plumbing manager if they want to work in deli?! I mean seriously, how does that compare? They have a love to tools, not meat! Anywho, that was that news. I have gotten over the shock, but the saddness is still there. Kinda odd - but CP was my Cheers! Everyone knew everyone, and I can still go back and walk in to see smiles of friends. Anywho, moving on...

I receive another call today - Josh. Josh was the bestman in my friend Renae's wedding, very funny, nice guy. Well I was very excited hear that he will be living here for 5 months! Then he asked where I live in the DC area - so I said on the Maryland side, not thinking he knew many towns. Well he went on to inform me that he will be living in Bethesda! YAY! I have a new friend living down the street from me soon! Five months is a long time, and that will give me time to start meeting new people, and he is coming at the perfect time. All the weddings will be over, and things will be settling down. Well that is all my news for today - I have one more CP call to return, then I am off to bed.

I have to say Bart is turning out to be the lucky one - he is sleeping through all the calls. There are a couple calls I just can't return yet - I just don't know what to say to some of my friends. I am just thankful I am not there and having to start over.

This is Bart, my new little kitty! 

Bart

Well now you have seen my new kitty. He and I seem to be getting along pretty well. Bart's first night here. Friday night, he slept in the kitchen and cried the whole night. On Saturday I had to be up early for the Burtonsville parade. I was there to support Habitat for Humanity. It was a great morning, and the parade went extremely well! That afternoon, I got home and took a nap with bart, but first we played a bit. I let him run all over our place so he could get to know it a bit. I am finding he likes blankets and pillows, he doesn't really care for his toys right now. After our nap, I decided to take him over to my parents house, I want Bart to adapt to where ever he is, that way we can go everywhere together. He liked playing in their kitchen, he likes to be where the people are, even though he hides from us the whole time. After a few minutes he decided it was time to see some other rooms...so I followed him to the living room. He seemed to like it behind the couch - and he was behind there for a bit, so I looked under the couch to check on him and as I do that I see his little butt go down the vent. We forgot that one vent cover was missing, and Bart found it! We spent a couple hours trying to get him out. After some time, I put tuna on my hand hoping I could grab his little body and pull him out. Well I was able to grab his little body - but there was no way I could pull him out. The vent went down about a six-eight inches and curved to go under the floor - needless to say, getting him out wasn't going to be easy. So my dad cut a hold in the vent a little farther down - trying not to scare him too much - but that didn't work. So he had to go closer to where Bart was, cut a hole in the ceiling of his workroom, find the vent, and cut a hole right near where Bart was laying. (Too small in there for him to sit/stand.) Eventually dad got Bart out. The poor thing was covered in soot and crying. So I dried his eyes, and wrapped him in a blanket, brought him home and he slept with me the whole night. It was a scarey night, but in the end, dad (to Bart- grandpa) saved my new little kitty. You can say, we all slept well after that!

Right now Bart is in my bed under all the covers happy as can be!

Motivation - Yea, not so much!

Staying motivated this week has been extremely difficult. I am not sure why, but I am still coming down from the past long, stressful weeks. I have things to do, and I am doing them, but I feel like I am not pounding them out like I could Maybe it is because I have so many hours and I don’t need to pound them out. I have all day, and if I get them all done – then what? I have already organized half of my inbox for emails. I already had things color coded, but now I have subfolders inside my folders. This way, it makes it much easier to locate an email if I need to do so.

OH! My big news for the week…and it makes me upset. I come to work on Monday to find that someone took my pen. I had Friday off, so have a good feeling who took it. But that was my pen. It was one I brought in from home because the pens her suck and don’t write. But why would someone take my good pen and not return it. If I find that pen on someone’s desk, I will be mad! I know it is just a pen, but it was my favorite pen. We had a good thing going. Now my pen goes home with me everyday, and that is just the way it will have to be I guess.

So I chose a name for my kitty. Now I just need to make sure when I get it, it is a boy. This name defiantly wouldn’t work for a girl. But I am excited! All I need to do now is get all the doll clothes I had when I was younger!! A kitty in a dress is the funniest thing. Hey dad – I guess some things will never change!

Stress Free!

Well I have been catching up on my sleep lately, and boy does it feel good. It was nice to have my first show go extremely well, then it was off to Rochester for a family wedding. Those are always fun. My cousin got married to a girl he stood me up for. He had called me a couple years ago and asked if I wanted to me him and some of his hockey friends out at a bar – now any girl in their right mind wouldn’t turn that down. So off I went to meet up with my nice cousin and his friends. We were supposed to meet at 10, around 11:30 still no sign of my cousin, so I headed to a different bar to meet up with some co-workers, and at midnight my dearest cousin called asking where I was. I informed him what bar I was at and he met up with me, come to find out he stood me up for a girl. So I asked the important questions: “Did you get her number?” and he did, so he was off the hook. And now those two love birds are married. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception was full of dancing and laughter.

So now that I am home, I am enjoying my bed. We are getting along very well. My bed will call my name, and of course, I will be there. It would be rude of me to ignore it, right? But then there is Mr. Alarm. We seem to be having issues again. Mr. Alarm says it is time to get up at 6:30 or 7, I say NO. For some reason, I have been getting into hitting the snooze button. I never did that, but the last 3-4 months, the snooze button and I have become friends and have come to realize it doesn’t do you much good. You fall back to sleep, all happy and warm underneath the covers and ten minutes later you have to peal yourself off the ceiling when the alarm goes off again. Now what fun is that? Okay, so there are days I would love to live in the dream world and pretend that I don’t have to get out of bed, but reality kicks in and so does the grumpiness. Although, I am glad I am not living with Kyle and Willie – they are two peas in a pod. Their alarms can go off for ten minutes before they hear them. How do you ignore that annoying buzzing sound? Well, I am off to think more about how to get back at Mr. Alarm – there has to be a way, and I will find it!

Success

Ah, I am home - well I am really at work, but I am heading home shortly. I was great to be back in my own bed with no wake up calls set for 4:00am. Every night when I had to make that call, I just felt depressed, 4am and at the time I placed the call it was usually midnight. There was only one night I was in bed before midnight - but when you away on work - work includes dinner and drinks, or for us, drinks, dinner, and more drinks!

The show in NYC was my first show. All the stress I had going into this show was worth it, and I was fully prepared. From what I was told, this was the smoothest Maritime show my company has ever had. My boss stayed calm the whole time, and during the prep days, I was told I looked very calm - little did they know I was freaking out on the inside! But all in all, I loved it. I left to go to NYC with a sore throat and as each day went by I felt worse and worse - but I made it though with no one really knowing how bad I felt. Although I must say it is extremely difficult to stay out socializing until midnight and wake up at 4 or 4:30 the next morning to keep going when all you want is your bed. This is one of those jobs, it doesn't matter how bad your feel or how bad you hurt - you have to look your best, smile and keep on trucking, and oddly enough I like that.

On this trip, at night I would have to say I ate like a King. Man, the food was good and the cost of the dinner was never an issue. Our company covered all of our expenses, and we took it to full advantage. Saturday night, it was just me and the operations manager there to GET wine and dined by some people we work with. We went to Little Italy and ate at La Mesa which was family style eating. Man, this guy tony we were with, he wouldn't let you sit at the table unless there was wine in your glass. Well I caught on MUCH quicker than my dear friend Bernadete. I drank that wine sooooo slowly that I made the water my best friend. Everyone was toasted by me. But none the less, I ate lots and had a blast. The second night, it was five of us from my company that went to a steak house for dinner. I got wonderful french onion soup and for dinner sauted mushrooms to go along with my blue cheese steak madallions! Yea, it is safe to say I was happy. The first night of our show, my boss took about 15 of us to dinner. Well, I have never had lobster before, and there was surf-n-turf for two, so I got that with a friend. VERY GOOD! But steak wise, we all agreed the steak house we had gone to a couple night prior was better. Even at the airport last night, we had found a great pizza restaurant - so no night went with out great food!

All in all, we all worked together extremely well and it was a great, well run show!