I was walking to my mailbox this evening around 9pm and this is what I heard...
Lastly, this is what I heard - my own deep breath - the day is done...
My Sunday's are often ruined by the thoughts of having to go back to work the next day. Gah!
I was cranky today. Terribly terribly cranky. I woke up super early - Double Gah! Then had to get myself to the grocery store so I could go to a fundraiser and watch Prissy beg for money for her baton team. At least the weather was nice (and the smoke is much much better.)
We got home around 3:30 and we went swimming for a little while. Things started getting better then. I grilled some hambugeys and corn on the cob. It was very tasty. Then I sewed up a mock up of Prissy's National's dance twirl costume. It actually turned out. So, when I get the real material - I'll be ready to sew it up. It only took me 3 hours or so - so, that's excellent. I made some mistakes - but now I know what I'll have to fix on the real one. (btw - I'm totally and completely stressed out having to create an entirely different costume this close to nationals. I like to have my costumes done for the 2 or 3rd contest of the season - we get our money's worth then. :))
So, today wasn't too bad. But, I have to go to work tomorrow. That depresses me beyond words. There is something wrong when work is so damn painful.
Today - we slept in late, watched lots of TV and totally relaxed most of the day. I think we really needed that.
Tonight (in abuot 20 minutes actually) we're going to go to the city firework show. Always a favorite of ours.
We've had such a nice day today.
White wine, 2. Happy weekend to all Flickr people!, 3. May 064, 4. Kitties 015
This is my weekend happiness mosaic:
By the way, Mosaic Maker - coolest thing ever.
Well - I haven't given an update on Jasmine the Kitten in a few days. So, I thought that I'd attach a few pictures and give an update.
First, she's adjusting well to her new home. She plays almost all the time and sleeps when she's not playing. She loves playing with us when we go to bed - by attacking our feet and legs - it's funny when we're still awake, and not quite so funny when we're trying to sleep. :)
Second, Jasmine and Oreo are the best of friends. The play and cuddle and love each other.
.... and other things? ... I must have caught them in a personal moment... Ummm, I think I captured the first ever lesbian cat-porn.
Ahem...
Anyway, we purchased a litter robot - which is the neatest thing and it has awesome reviews - even by people I know who swear they are the best things ever. Only, my cats won't use them. I've followed the recommendations on the site, etc, etc, etc... Currently, I have the old litter box next to the litter robot - but I'm not cleaning the old litter box - to try to encourage them to use the robot. But, it's just not working. Anyway, Jasmine hates the dirty litter box and while I was getting ready this morning - she peed in the sink. EWWWW!!!!
But, this evening, just before she started going in her dirty old litterbox I put her in the robot and she went both pee and poop! Huzzah! I never thought that cat shit would make me so happy. The other cats still not too keen on the robot - they'd rather stand in filth than go in the nice clean litter. stupid cats.
Here are a few other damn cute non-porn pictures of Jasmine.
Tonight, I'm feeling restless, irritable and discontent. Don't know why really. I have just a bunch of nothingness to update on:
I only have a second tonight - I'm working on Prissy's Dance Twirl costume for Nationals (in three weeks - I'm going to be BUSY for the next few weeks.) But, I wanted to share a classic Cindy story from this weekend.
Let me preface this with - I'm terrified of bees. I've never been stung - because I stay the hell out of their way.
Anyway, I was outside the gym this past weekend talking to Bubba on the phone and I hear this buzzing. A bee is flying around my head. I walk away and it follows me (I can see it in the corner of my eye), I move again and it follows me. Then, I sort of jog a bit away and then I can hear it. It's LOUD and I tell Bubba I'll call him back and I try to run away from it. I can still hear the thing buzzing - I can't dodge it anywhere. Then, I get panicy - and start yelling. And running.. There are a lot of people outside. 6 or 7 twirlers practicing. A few coaches. Several parents. And there is me - running in circles, yelling, running up and down the steps like my pants are on fire. Can you picture it? Yeah - thought that you could....
The damn bee was still buzzing and it was getting really loud. I'm totally out of breath and absolutely terrified. I stop - the bee is still buzzing very angrily right behind me, I turn around and it's STILL behind me. I realize it's stuck in my collar. I unfold my collar and run like crazy. It's free and so am I.
I take a few deep breaths - and start to call Hubby and Bubba back and I realize that I never hung up. Hubby is on the line laughing his ass off at me.
Then, I had to try to go and explain it to all the people that saw me running around like a crazy women. They totally and completely ignored me. OMG! I'm the crazy lady now.
Poor Prissy. Her mom is the crazy one.
We are home - finally.
Man, what a long weekend. Prissy did awesome. She brought home a first place trophy for Intermediate Solo. She also came in 2nd on Regional Solo (advanced solo - it's different) and advanced to the divisional juvenile solo event. She came in 5th - which is all the juveniles that had come in first or second in their age for regional solos. So - 5th was absolutely amazing. Yay Prissy.
We're really tired. I took lots of pictures. I'll post them - maybe. But, not tonight. Tonight I want to go to bed. I have so much stuff to do - being away for the weekend really puts a dent in the working mom's "errand" time. If I could - I would totally take tomorrow off just to catch up.
Sorry for the short post. But, YAY PRISSY! (oh and Jasmine is totally hiding from Prissy and I - she disappeared when we opened the garage door and we haven't seen her at all.)
Holy mother of all that is good - I am tired. Bone weary pitiful tired.
and I didn't even compete. Poor Prissy must be dying.
Today was the easy day - we were at the (FUCKING UNAIRCONDITIONED) gym for almost 11 hours today. It was brutally hot. Prissy had "foundation events" and her team events. Their teams did awesome. The little girls team won 3rd place, and the team with everyone on Acceleration won first. Very exciting. Prissy won 2 first place trophies in Basic and Military marching (it is baton after all) - meaning that she is the best in the entire western United States in her age division in marching - totally and completely impressive.
Tomorrow is the solo and dance twirl individual events. Prissy's solo has the chance of winning her age division - there is only one (maybe two) real competitors in her division. Biggest contest so far this season. Keep your fingers crossed for her. Hopefully it won't be as hot tomorrow - it's incredibly difficult to hold on to a baton when your hands are slick with sweat.
Then, we go home and don't have another baton lesson until - MONDAY! DAMNIT! I thought at least we could get ONE day off. (nationals is 3 weeks away - no rest for the weary.)
Prissy had her second day of baton camp today. While she was at camp I
hung out at a mall in the bay area. I even stopped to get a pedicure.
I so deserved it!!
Anyway - we drove to the hotel after camp. Prissy has regionals
Saturday and Sunday. Woot!!!
We went to Red Robin and our food was refridgerator cold. Bleh - we
had to send it back. I've never sent food back before. Anyway, Prissy
is finishing up her shower and is almost ready for bed. What a long
week for her. Its almost done. Just two competition days left. :)
Sent from my iPhone
Holy crap it's been a long day.
Instead of boring you with the details - it had to do something like attending a meeting from home, getting Prissy ready and rushing Prissy around to get her to the places where other people could take her to a baton camp 2 hours away (into the Bay Area.) Then, rushing to work then just working, then rushing home to get ready for our Taekwondo testing, then testing and having to rush out a little bit early so I could drive another 45 minutes to pick Prissy up from the people who brought her back from baton camp. It's almost 10pm and we're finally home. I bored you with the details right?
Anyway - TESTING! WE PASSED!!! Hubby and I are now officially Brown Belt Decided's. And Bubba - BUBBA? He's now a black belt recommended. That means he will test for his black belt at the next testing session. I'm so excited for him. He's been working on this for a little over 3 years. I suck and have no pictures because we had to get out of there before the testing actually ended. DOH! But, that's ok. I got some video of Bubba that I may or may not post - depends if I feel like it. :)
Hubby and I have 3 more belts before we are able to test for our black belt. So, in about a year we will probably be testing (might be a little less.) But, we are one step closer.
A dear friend and co-worker got married today. She has been with her partner for 18 years. They have an adult son and have guardianship of my friend's 13 year old nephew. Until this week - her union was not recognized by the state of California - just because she and her partner are the same sex. How ridiculous that before this week - this family couldn't be officially married - when they are more married in spirit than many straight couples I know.
I had the honor of being allowed to go to their ceremony and see them take their "official" vows. It was beautiful. And such a big deal - not necessarily the ceremony - but the fact that they are finally recognized as a married couple by the state. What a great day! It's about time.
Anyway, I am so thrilled for them. And I'm so glad that I could be there!
Congratulations - you know who you are!
Some days I feel like this (most days actually):
Today I feel like this (I wish I knew who to give credit to for this picture - it's just awesome):
This is sort of a boring update - I can't be witty and charming everyday. Oh, or at all I guess. *LAUGH*
Today was a typical Monday... I had a thousand meetings... Running from place to place... Holding my pee until I saw yellow (because I didn't have time to go, yo.) But, it wasn't a horrible day - just really busy. Productive as well - which is always good for the psyche. (I got one of the three presentations done that I've been working on forever. Woot!)
This is the week of baton. Prissy had a lesson tonight, she has a team make up practice tomorrow, her regular team practice on Wednesday, and a baton camp on Thursday and Friday, then Regionals (for the Western United States) this weekend. She'll be competing against her biggest challenger - we'll call her BATONGIRL. Prissy and BATONGIRL are often neck in neck. Last year, BATONGIRL won 1st place and only beat her by 10 points in both states and regionals. And this year BATONGIRL beat her by 10 points at states. However, the rest of the season, Prissy has been beating her by 30-50 points (the other girls of the same age are 100+ points behind Prissy and BATONGIRL.) BATONGIRL won a 1st place in Nationals in one event and 2nd place in a different event. So, beating her is a really amazing thing. I hope that Prissy beats her - and if not - oh well. It'd just be really cool for her - I think that it might be a really big confidence booster for Prissy before going to Nationals. BATONGIRL will also be at this baton camp and the girls are friends - which is always nice to have some friendly competition.
On a kitty update. Oreo (btw - is a girl cat) and Jasmine are becoming fast friends. They are playing with each other now. No more hissing or growling. Oreo is still soft smacking her in the head occasionally - but it's clearly playing and not being pissed - no claws no pain. Oreo still follows her everywhere, but occasionally runs past her to get Jasmine to follow her back. I was a little worried on Saturday - but not anymore. Oreo will be Jasmine's protector and big sister (that will torture her just a little. Just like a real big sister.) They were laying next to each other a little while ago. As far as Pookie (our scaredy cat) - I'm not sure she even knows we have another cat in the house. She's just thrilled we have kitten food (which is her FAVORITE.)
Sorry for the long post, it's just been a decent day.
We have officially decided on a name for the kitten - her name will be Jasmine after Princess Jasmine and she's a bit of an explorer and quite the playful kitty - so if the mood strikes, she can also go by Jazz.
Who me? A Princess?
Fell asleep while she was playing. She must have been tired from all the playing she did on our heads while we were sleeping.
I think that Jasmine is flipping me off!
Here is a video of Jasmine chasing her tail. She did this for hours while we were trying to sleep last night. She honestly can go for 20-30 minutes of straight tail chasing.
Finally, Oreo still isn't entirely sure what to do with Jasmine. She's not at all mean with her - but, she follows here EVERYWHERE. Oreo needs to know where Jasmine is every second. Here is a short clip of them sitting next to each other and Oreo gives her a little "pat" on the head.
All in all, she is acclimating well to her new home. I'm bummed that we have to go back to work tomorrow. (well, one because it's work, and two, I'd really like to be home with her tomorrow.) Because it's the start of the work week - pictures will be a little sparse for a few days.
Today was a wonderful day!
Kitten slept with us all night last night. Woke up late. Hubby opened his father's day presents. I talked to my dad. It was a beautiful day. Played with the kitten. Played a bit on the computer. Went to Walmart for groceries. Swam in the pool. Did a crossword puzzle. Grilled Bratwerst. Read a bit on the book. Watched TV with the kitten sleeping on my lap. Now, I'm updating my blog.
Sleeping late, presents, swimming, shopping, playing with kittens, grilling and relaxing.
It just doesn't get any better.
We picked up the kitty this afternoon and brought her home. Her owners sent her with some kitten food, a bed, a towel that smells like like home and some toys the kitty likes playing with. It was really really nice. The kitten is absolutely adorable.
The kitty slept on the way home. And was ready to explore as soon as we walked in the door. She's been all over one room, and then got exhausted and fell asleep behind some furniture. Oreo is a bit pissed off, but doing okay. She's watching the kitten's every move.
When the kitten walked over to her, Oreo smacked her on the head and hissed. The kitten just sort of walked away. The kitten is still sort of freaked out (big massive changes for her today) and Oreo is freaked out. But, I think in a few days they will be good friends (or at least good playmates.)
I'm not sure that Badger fits her. We also came up with Jasmine. Her owner had said she was quite the Princess - and Princess Jasmine from Aladdin is what Bubba came up with. It's kinda cute. We still need to give it a few days.
The kitten checks out the scratching board:
Then Oreo has to check it out:
And how cute is this?
First - I'm wildly glad it's the weekend. I'm so so so looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a big day - we have Taekwondo (we have testing next week) both Bubba and Hubby and I. Then, we'll probably swim for awhile - it's finally hot enough and the water is warm enough to actually swim. Then, we'll go get the kitten.
We're all excited about the kitten. Except for maybe hubby. But, he's tolerant.
Next week will be all baton all the time (in addition to the TKD testing on Thursday.) There are practices and camp and then regionals. There will be a baton "something" from Monday to Sunday.
I'm going to leave you with this as we are quite the wii fit fans and this just cracked me up:
OMG... I'm as surprised as anyone else.
Yesterday, one of the guys on my team IMs me with a link to a picture of a cat that he is adopting. It's an adorable orange tabby. I mean - seriously - how cute? I was surprised because he already has 3 cats. But, his friend had rescued a stray cat and found out it was pregnant and they just simply can't keep the kittens.
Anyway, I was looking through the pictures and saw this one and said, I want her. I didn't actually mean it, I was just making IM conversation. I have two cats. One is old and the other is still quite young and a bit loco. He IMs me back and says that he talked to the lady who had the cats and the cat was mine. What? No, no, no no.. I just thought she was really cute.
So, EVERYONE on my team starts calling me a kitten murderer (because she was going to be put in a kill-shelter since all the no-kill shelters are full, which I still don't know if I believe or not.) And then, I start really liking this kitty. And I looked at her picture about 193534254 times yesterday and today. She is all white with a calico head and I thought a calico tail. But, it ends up the tail is half tabby and half black - it's so awesome.
I didn't have the courage to talk to hubby about it - because I knew he would say no. But, then the harrassment started when I came into work again today. Then, another member of my team said she might want the kitty and that she would make her an outdoor kitty and I KNEW I had to have her. I actually couldn't bear the thought of her being with anyone else. And I decided that I really wanted her. Really alot. So, I emailed hubby and he didn't say no. What? I was flabbergasted! He didn't say no.
So, bing bang boom - we're going to get another cat. We pick her up on Saturday evening. She will be 7 weeks old tomorrow. Here is the kitty mama blog. Right now, the name Badger is my favorite name - but we really need to get a feel for her personality before giving her a name.
Here are a few pictures taken by her current owners that were just posted today of her (I can't wait to meet this little kitty in person):
OMG! Is the tail not the cutest thing you've ever seen?
So, another kitten. I love cats. Absolutely love them. TEEHEE!
For those of you I work with - this post may be TMI. So, you may just want to skip it tonight?
This past weekend I bought myself some new undies. I have needed them for awhile. But, these are wonderful and comfortable. Talk about pampering myself! I got them on Sunday afternoon after the laundry was finished - and I really really wanted to wear them on my trip, so I just decided they'd be fine to wear before I washed them. They were in a package and all - so I figured it'd be fine.
So, I got these nice boy-shorts that don't show a panty-line. And I thought it would be great because I dressed up for the conference (usually I wear jeans). They are SUPER DUPER comfortable. I choose not to wear thongs because I'm just totally icked out and can't do a string up my butt. So, pantyline be damned! Anyway - the boy-shorts are a perfect option and I was thrilled to get a few pairs.
Anyway, I was at the conference and I went to the bathroom, wiped and what do you know - a little tiny square appeared with the number 16 on it. Sixteen?
That little number caused ALL SORTS of questions to go through my head... Only sixteen? Sixteen out of how many? How did they know? Who was the judge? Sixteen?
Even after I got home I didn't know if I should be upset or flattered. And then, my wipe yesterday with the new undies clearly said 8. Guess I'm just getting better and better!
I stole this Ten on Tuesday from Florinda.
The title is: 10 things that annoy you about work. Man oh man was this one easy for me.
Here is my list:
Oh wait that was 11 not 10. I guess I don't follow rules very well.
This one is my own addition since it was so easy to come up with the above list. Here are things that don’t annoy me about work.
I ummm couldn't think of too many things that don't annoy me at work... That should probably tell me something...
Got up super early (4am) and got to the airport - got through security (even with the single lady with toddler triplets right in front of me - she had to take them out of the stroller and have them walk through. They were maybe 18 - 22 months old. So, they just took off - it was like "Babies Gone Wild." I just simply can't imagine how hard and exhausting it would be traveling by yourself with 3 babies.)
Anyway - got to Anaheim - got the rental car - got to the convention center - talked to so.many.vendors. But, my schedule just worked out completely. Which was weird. Then, left the convention center - returned the car - went back through security and back on the airplane.
Not a single problem - it was great. Finished my book. Finished the episode of Weeds I was working on and even finished the Sunday crossword puzzle.
However, at the conference - each booth has some "hook" this year the big hooks were Wii Fit, Wii games and Guitar Hero. They are there to draw in people to play them and then they make you attend a demo. The issue was that it was the vendors that were playing the games - in every single booth. Every one. It just shocked me. Aren't these people paid to sell stuff instead of play games meant for people they are trying to sell to? Whatever, they were people that weren't bugging me. :)
Only complaint - my ears need to pop.
I have to fly to LA tomorrow. Just for the day. Get on a plane at 6:30am and come back by 6pm. I have to go to the DAC conference. DAC is the Design Automation Conference - that is currently what I do for a living and this is the biggest conference of the year. Usually I have to go for an entire week. Last year I got a terrible urinary tract infection and had to fly home early (well 4 hours early - but still early.) At this conference there are thousands (ok hundreds) of used car salesmen vendors that are all trying to sell you on their product. I'm a "buyer" so I'm looking at their products.
When I first went to my first DAC, I was so excited. I felt like "I HAD ARRIVED!" But, now, the novelty has worn off and I just dread it. It almost got cancelled this year because of cost cutting measures (which sort of sucks, because it's actually a really important part of my job - knowing what is currently in the industry and all.) But, I was able to convince those in power (clearly not me anymore) that I should at least go for the free day and that the plane trip wouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars.
So, I fly to LA tomorrow. And I return tomorrow night. I look forward to the plane ride so I can read my book and maybe watch an episode of Weeds on my iPhone (damn I love that show.)
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Today we had people over to our house.
Yes...
Our house.
Normally, the only people I let come over are relatives. And usually just my parents. These were friends. Hubby asked one of his close friends (and co-workers) to help him with the sprinklers (our sprinklers got fucked when we got the pool. And then told him to bring his wife and their two kids.
This totally took me by surprise. And honestly, I was not so happy about it. Our house happens to be in disaster mode. Serious, serious disaster mode. I've got clutter and papers and shit from the kids' last day of school (they bring home an entire year's worth of crappee.) And also just a lot of clutter from my relative recent work-unhappiness (I don't tend to clean when I'm bummed - we have a cleaning service - so things are "clean" there are just piles of shit everywhere.)
Anyway, I haven't had a second of time since he announced this. And today, I hauled all the shit upstairs and dumped it on our bed. Then, I had to run to the grocery store to get "snacks" or at least something hostessy like. I got fruit and crackers. And then I had to buy a chip and dip tray, and a pitcher for lemonade. We didn't have these things - I don't entertain - so we just simply don't have them.
Anyway, it was nice and we swam in the very frigid water. And then we went out to dinner and it's very late and the kids are still in the shower and still getting ready for bed. We're all very tired, and I'm very glad it's over. And hubby moved all the crappee from the bed to the office. So, now my office is buried. But, at least I can sleep...
Is anyone else embarrassed to let people come over to their houses because of piles of crap? Our friends - they are so neat and tidy and clean and there is a distinct lack of clutter. I'm just buried in it right now.. But, downstairs is really nice right now - I just can't think about the office...
This about sums up my day today:
I LOVE MY JOB! I LOVE MY JOB! I LOVE MY JOB!!!
Update: (stupid - this is supposed to be an animated .gif where the little guy starts banging his head on the keyboard and his head gets all bloody and his eyeballs fly out. I'll work on trying to get the gif to work.)
Update #2: Got it!
Since I was feeling uninspired yesterday - I thought that I might try to feel a little more creative today.
Actually - I was bitchy for most of the day. Then, got bitchy some more. Then, watched the kids play in the pool (too damn cold for me) while reading my book - it was gorgeous outside. And I felt better. I'm actually thinking of playing hooky in the afternoon tomorrow and taking the kids to see Kung Fu Panda - since we're all into Martial Arts here at crazy monkey central. But, since I took a vacation day on Friday AND Monday it might not be the best move. We'll just have to see.
The end.
I'm feeling totally and completely uninspired today. And today's post will be a rant against NIB (New Italian Boss). I almost yelled at him today. His stupid, unethical, slightly illegal, control-freak decisions are starting to really bite him in the asscrack.
The problem is that now he's putting them back on ME! For example, I raised an issue and provided a damn good solution back in January. He lied to me - said he was good with my decision and would support it. It ends up that he did the OPPOSITE of my suggested solution. I found out about his LYING through an entirely different company. He got what he wanted - which was not my suggested solution. And now it's fucking blowing up on his ass and leaving tiny bits of ass-shrapnel all over the place. (man, trying to get ass-shrapnel out of your hair is NASTY!)
But, now - he wants me to fix it. He wants me to try to implement my suggested solution. And it's too fucking late. The course has been set and the fucking ship has sailed. I can't fix his fuck ups. Nor do I really want to. And you know - if this was the only issue I had with him today - that'd be one thing. But, that was just one of many many issues.
So, I'm cranky, PMSy and totally uninspired. I just want to drink my nice glass of wine and pout (or gloat.) We tried to swim again this evening and it was even colder today - and there was a fierce wind. BRRRR!!!! I could only get in for a short time and would only let the kids stay in for a little bit longer.
Oh - I figure you have zero time - but, I'm posting my stupid videos anyway. They are both long (over a minute or two) and should only be watched if you have nothing better to do.
The first one is the kids first dip into the pool today. It's only 80 degrees and the pool is REALLY REALLY cold.
The second one is me and the kids. I absolutely CANNOT believe that I'm posting a video of myself in a fucking bathing suit. But, whatever. It must be the article in Oprah's magazine this month about loving ourselves... Blah blah blah... And I look a hell of a lot better than I did last summer (at least I'm 20 pounds lighter).
I guess a lot of people are doing this meme, but I personally stole it from Badger Meets World. I really liked this particular one. Anyway, here is the deal:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.
The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name
Here is my mosaic:
