October 29, 2012

Ssssh! Don't tell Hubby I turned the heat on.

As I am sitting here all snuggled up in as many layers as I could possibly put on and still be able to move; I am listening to the wind howling and it sounds like it may be taking off pieces of my roof.

This is our share of the Frankenstorm otherwise known as Sandy.  When I first heard the storm referred to as a Frankenstorm, I thought that had to be the most idiotic term I'd ever heard; and I've heard some doozies.  But then it clicked that with Halloween coming up and the storm.....it kind of makes sense, I suppose.  Although it still sounds stupid.

Fortunately, we are not in the direct path of the storm.  Unfortunately for our neighbors to the north they are probably getting pounded right about now.  We are keeping you in our thoughts and pray that it's not as bad as they say it's going to be.  All that is expected here is crazy wind, a little rain and for the temperature to drop.  And boy has the temperature dropped; it's practically freezing over here.

Of course, our neighbors to the north of us will laugh at my complaints because to the them 50 degrees is nothing.  But when you consider it was in the mid-70's on Friday and that I am a native Texan who is used to heat, more heat and then add in the humidity, then you can see why I am practically frostbitten over here, despite the fact I've lived here for about fifteen years.

Unfortunately for me, my husband hails from the northern climes and he proclaims this weather "invigorating."  I want to kill him every time he says that by the way.

He has proclaimed that there is no need to turn the heat on; that it "feels good in here!"  I seriously hate him right about now.

So I left him to his own devices downstairs (where he is learning to text - that is a story unto itself and best left for another day but in the meantime pray for him because surely I will kill him over the questions or the heat before it's all over) and hit the heat and crawled under the covers.

Unfortunately, we have some kind of stupid heating system that we can only raise ONE degree at a time.  Otherwise the thing goes into "emergency" mode and we then get a crazy electric bill.  So basically, I'm warming up one degree at a time.  It's going to take forever.

And then, once I'm all warm and asleep, Hubby will come upstairs and turn it back down to sub-zero temperatures and we will start this dance all over again.  Welcome to winter in Gigi's world.

October 22, 2012

It's a Magic Portal, son....kinda like Harry Potter's owl

Not long after Man-Child went away to college he realized he needed a book and asked me to order it for him.  Being the fabulous mom that I am, I did.  And had it shipped to him.

I asked him repeatedly if he'd gone to his mailbox to get it.  Repeatedly, he told me no. I guess he was figuring it would just somehow magically appear in his room.

Then I came across a shirt that I knew he had meant to take with him.  So again, being the good mom that I am, I mailed it to him - but didn't mention it - I figured it would be a nice surprise.

And nothing.

So again, I asked him if he'd checked his mailbox.  Again no.

Apparently, walking two buildings over to check said mailbox is far too much exertion for a teenage boy, my bad.

Finally, in a fit of frustration, I told him that the mailbox is a "magic portal" that could hold all kinds of wonderful things.  To which he replied, "Is it food?"  *sigh*

This, apparently, was enough incentive for him to walk to the mailbox to retrieve his book and his shirt to which he said, "Thanks, I was wondering where that was."

Then, I mailed him a card and a small something.  Just to let him know I was thinking of him.

Nothing.

Finally, I broke down and texted him "Have you checked your mailbox?"  To which he replied, "No.  But I'll do it."

Being in a sassy state of mind, I said, "Why?  Are you expecting something?"

Him: "You implied that I am"

Me: "I didn't imply anything.  I was just asking a question."

Then I got a phone call asking if there was anything in the mailbox.  I played dumb.  And reminded him that it IS a magic portal.

Still nothing.

Apparently, sending goodies and care packages as a surprise is going to be an impossible task since he won't go check that damn box without being prompted.

***
As an aside, I wrote this a while ago, but never got around to editing/posting; eventually he did find the package.  But just today, I sent him another surprise.  I wonder how long it will take for him to find it?

October 18, 2012

The weight of the world.....

Is resting right here.  Right on top of these little shoulders of mine.  I kid you not, it truly feels that way.  Especially after the way this past week has gone.

Today was just the icing on top.  Today was a particularly stressful day, for no particular reason.  You ever have those kinds of days?  The kind where everyone says "no pressure" but yet the pressure is still there?

The kind of day where that one attorney - the one whose wife calls at least ten times a day, decides that today she needs to talk to her husband at least twenty times; and WILL keep calling until he actually answers the phone?  Although, he can't because he is in a meeting; a very, very, very long meeting.  I swear, at one point today I knew that if I saw her number pop up on caller id one more time that I would completely and totally lose control and find myself screaming at her to NEVER CALL HERE AGAIN!!!!!

The kind of day where every single time you tried to buckle down and work on that one project - you know, the project you have been putting off because for some strange reason people keep asking you to do other stuff - your email notification-thingy is going haywire and you are getting all kinds of urgent, need-it-NOW kinds of messages?

The kind of day where the phone will NOT stop ringing - and this isn't even counting the twenty-some odd calls from the aforementioned wife.  The wife, who from my understanding, was once a quite capable (or so I'm told) professional.  Who should understand that actual work goes on in this building and that the people in it do not have time to chit-chat all day long....*ahem* sorry about that, it's been a long day and that little rant has been building up for some time now.

The kind of day where once again, Mother Nature decides to surprise you with the fact that you aren't quite done with that "special visit" that you were sure was over and done with.  And you, once again, determine that Mother Nature is, in fact, an evil, spiteful bitch who hates you. And you begin to wonder what are the odds of actually coming down with Toxic Shock Syndrome if you decide to combat Mother Nature and wear protection 24/7?  Then you read the symptoms of TSS and begin to think that it might be too late for you anyway.

The kind of day where your car guy comes to get your car JUST to rotate the tires and then he comes back and says, "Well......" in THAT tone of voice.  And you tell him not to give you any bad news.  And he agrees not to and then proceeds to tell you that your brake pads are shot; totally shot.  As in they really need to be done NOW and that until they get done you really should re-consider any braking that you might need to do between now and then.

The kind of day where right after hearing that particularly lovely bit of news you realize that despite having gotten absolutely zero done in the work department today it is time to head off for that dental consult you have scheduled with the oral surgeon (the kind of day that, while editing you notice that you have typed the longest run on sentence EVER but decide to leave it, because in your weary brain, it makes total sense).  Whereupon you are told that yes, it most definitely IS scar tissue (as a result of your having a weird bite pattern and amazingly fat cheeks on the inside that enable you to keep biting the same spot over and over and OVER again) and not something cancerous but it should come out; the sooner the better.  To the tune of approximately $350 because, so sorry, they aren't in your healthcare network.

The kind of day where after refusing to have said dental/mouth work done because you simply can't think about adding on another bill at this point in your life you find yourself at the stop light in tears.

The kind of day where after a long, arduous day at real work you come home to find that you still have some side work that needs to be done.  And done now, because there is a deadline.  The kind of work you can't say "no" to because you so desperately need the extra cash.  The extra cash that unfortunately can't be earmarked for car repair or mouth repair because it is already earmarked for regular, every day bills.

Well that, my friends is the kind of day that I have had.

Which means, by my calculations, that it is currently time for a giant glass of wine, a hot bath and an early bedtime.  Hope you had a much better day, week, month, year.....whatever.

October 12, 2012

"Get out the best you can...." Seriously?!

Monday morning dawned gray and cold.  Not the best way to start a Monday - as if there is any great way to start a Monday......but there you go.

Despite the gloom, I got up and went to work.  What can I say, it's not like I had a choice.

Not long after my arrival, I checked my email only to discover a company-wide email from the Building Manager guy alerting us to the fact that a fire drill has been scheduled for Friday.  At 1:30 pm, to be exact.  No keeping us on our toes around here, nosireebob - gotta make sure we aren't surprised when that alarm goes off.

The email didn't bother me.  No, in fact, I actually appreciated the heads up, especially in light of what happened next.

What DID bother me was when I pulled out our "Emergency Evacuation Manual" just to remind myself  as to who was to do what.....only to discover that our Emergency Evacuation Personnel list hasn't been updated....for years.

So being the good girl scout that I am, I fired off an email to this guy alerting him to this fact.

Eventually, after taking his own sweet time about it, he calls me back only to tell me the following....

"Well, no one has volunteered to replace those who have left......"They" went overboard with this thing anyway.....Just get out the best you can."

I kid you not.

Let's just ignore the fact that this moron is not doing his job - despite repeated reminders.  This moron actually said "Just get out the best you can."

Seriously?

I realize that we are in a sleepy, little town and probably don't have to worry about terrorists, or bombs, or *insert whatever insane scenario that you can imagine here*....but still.

What IF something DID happen?  It COULD.  Crazy stuff happens EVERY. FREAKING. DAY. because we live in an insane world these days.....AND we don't have designated people to do their designated duties?  How many people might be injured....or worse; die?  All because he said "Get out the best you can."

I seem to recall a story that was floating around after the horrific events of 9/11 about an office manager that was serious about their evacuation procedures - had drills, had people trained in what to do, etc. -basically he went "overboard."  If I recall correctly, most of the people from that office made it out.  All because that person didn't have the attitude of worry about yourself - and screw everyone else....this is just penny ante b.s. that just wastes my time.

As I was venting my frustration to a co-worker she reminded me that, because people have left, we no longer have anyone available on our floor who is trained in CPR or use of the defibrillator.  I guess because no one has "volunteered."  God knows this moron hasn't actually ASKED for volunteers.

So I suppose if any of us, or *gasp*  even worse, one of the executives, happen to have an issue we are expected to call 911 and then call around to the other floors looking for someone to come up - when they have time - to help us?  Guess whose ass will be on the line then?  Yup....that's right the same moron who said (all together now) "Get out the best you can."

Obviously, he is far too dense to think that far ahead.

This man infuriates me on so many levels.  All I want to know is why can't he do his damn job?  This is not the first indiscretion I've noticed - but it certainly is the worst.  Why does such a lazy man as this have a job - that he obviously doesn't want to do - and my husband doesn't?  It doesn't make any sense to me.

After hanging up with him - I had no words then; and after venting to said co-worker - I went around and solicited volunteers to check out the restrooms, etc. to make sure everyone gets out "the best they can" today.

October 5, 2012

......and THAT'S how I found myself home alone on a Friday night

Remember back when we were young and the thought of sitting home on a Friday night was downright boring....if not terrifying?

Back then it meant (in your mind) that you weren't popular.  That you were a nobody.  That you were so insignificant, had nothing to do and nobody to do it with.

Funny how things change when you grow up and get a little wiser.

So tonight, I find myself home.  All alone.  Knowing that I'll be here all alone for the majority of the weekend.  And I'm okay with it.  Actually, I am positively reveling in it.

The most coveted spot in the living room? Mine!  The remote control?  Mine!  The whole bed?  Mine!  That last glass of wine?  Mine!

Technically, I wasn't supposed to be here this weekend.  Hubby's daughter is having a *significant* birthday today (did someone say 30?!).  Her friends are throwing her a surprise party tonight and I had agreed to attend.  (I know, I know....I even surprised myself on that one - but it IS a big moment and I figured I should be there and truly did want to be there for her).

The reason I am not there is kind of Hubby's fault.  He neglected to mention it to me before last weekend.  But once he told me about it I was completely on board.  I figured I would take Friday (today) and Monday off (so I wouldn't lose a whole weekend, not to mention I still have a boatload of days to take before the end of the year; YIKES!  How did that happen....AGAIN?).  This way we could easily drive the two hours up to scoop up Man-Child and then drive two hours in another direction to make it in time for the party without any pressure.

But come last Monday when I checked the vacation calender, I realized that my backup had already scheduled today and next Monday off.  And then I remembered that it had been on the calendar since June because she had a trip planned.  So I had to come home and tell Hubby it was a no go.

He tried and tried to convince me that it would still work.  That I could easily spend a day at work, then do a four hour drive and then party with a bunch of young'uns.

He must be remembering the younger me.  Because the me of today?  SHE can't handle all that.  The me of today fully expects to come home after a long day at work and slip into her pjs and call it a day.  The me of today does not want to be gallivanting all over the state after a long day (a very irritating kind of day at that - a day SO irritating that it could have it's own rant post).

The me of today would have needed today off just to get prepared to gallivant all over the state and party with people who are ten (*fingers crossed behind my back*) years younger.  (Truth be told, I'm not TOO far off the mark with my math.....remember, my husband IS a cradle robber - really!)

So here I am.  With the next two days stretching out before me.  Wondering what I will do to fill the empty hours.....

Oh who am I kidding?  I know EXACTLY what I'll be doing.

I'll be doing all that side work (that I have conveniently ignored tonight to catch up with all of you and type this post), clean the house, do the laundry, water the plants, etc., etc., etc.

But I will also enjoy that coveted spot in the living room, the remote, the bed, not having anyone snoring so obnoxiously loud at 3:00 am that it jars me out of my slumber (which may have been the start of this very long and irritating day) and the quiet.  Oh!  The quiet....how I will enjoy that!

Until Sunday afternoon when I start to get bored and lonely.  And then Hubby will come home; exhausted from gallivanting all over the state and partying with people who are 15 years (or more) than him.

And then I will be happy to have someone to talk to.....even if he is falling asleep in that coveted spot as I chatter on and on....

Now excuse me while I go have popcorn for (a very late) dinner.....

*****
I have recently realized that my new phone doesn't "push" emails (i.e. your comments) through as quickly as the old one; so if I'm slow to respond please forgive me.  

Android....this does not make me happy.  Just sayin' you might want to rectify that....STAT.