So, have any of you ever been to one of those girls only parties where you sit around and watch someone tell you about all the greatest sex toys?? I have! And I was so nervous at the start of the party, but it turned out to be so much fun!
I sat there with all my old buddies from high school (we've been friends for over 15 years now!), and we just kinda looked around at each other not sure what to do as the lady was talking about the vibrating cock ring (which we nicknamed the VCR). At the end of the show, she said we could meet with her privately to purchase our goods and she'd put them in plain brown paper bags so no one would know what we bought. So, what did we do?? As soon as we got back to the living room, those bags opened up so we could all see what each other got. It was great!! And it's made for some interesting conversations since then..."how's the VCR working?" "Oh, hubby loves it!" or "the batteries are dead...must go get more!"
Anyway, I stumbled upon a new blog recently by Sugarmama, and she used to own one of these fun businesses, Intimate Pursuits, and she's selling all her remaining inventory for 50% off!
So, check out her blog (see the January 12 posting), and check out her website...see if you see anything fun!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Weird Dream
Okay, Dramamama, all your dream talk has caused me to have my own weird dream. I've been out of town all week, so last night was the first time I slept in my own bed in several days...I don't know why that means that I should have weird dreams, but apparently it does.
Last night I dreamed that we were moving to Mississippi...I'm not exactly sure where in Mississippi, but somewhere. I can't remember all the details like D'Mama does, but here are some of them. Please note that this is a DREAM...not true at all!
Even though we had only lived in KS for a few months, we decided to move again.
Neither B nor I had actual jobs there...I had been offered one a while back, but had turned it down, but we thought they would just give it to me if I showed up.
Mom and Dad were upset at first b/c we were leaving KS (where they were planning to move), but then they were excited for us.
I made plans to drive to 'ol Miss with an old acquaintance from high school to get settled...someone who I have not seen in about 12 years.
The dream ended where I was trying to get everything all together in order to leave to drive down there.
WEIRD!! Ok, so let's try to see what this means...besides the fact that I was way over-tired, there's got to be something in there. We love KS so far...we love our neighborhood and the town and that we have made friends so quickly, so it's not that. But, I'm not exactly happy in my job. It's boring, and the company is ALL about politice (I HATE politics in the workplace), and people are rewarded and promoted and given astronomically huge offices just because they've been around forever, not because they actually contribute to the success of the business. Maybe that had something to do with it?
Who knows, and I don't really care...I was just so excited that I remembered one of my dreams!
Last night I dreamed that we were moving to Mississippi...I'm not exactly sure where in Mississippi, but somewhere. I can't remember all the details like D'Mama does, but here are some of them. Please note that this is a DREAM...not true at all!
Even though we had only lived in KS for a few months, we decided to move again.
Neither B nor I had actual jobs there...I had been offered one a while back, but had turned it down, but we thought they would just give it to me if I showed up.
Mom and Dad were upset at first b/c we were leaving KS (where they were planning to move), but then they were excited for us.
I made plans to drive to 'ol Miss with an old acquaintance from high school to get settled...someone who I have not seen in about 12 years.
The dream ended where I was trying to get everything all together in order to leave to drive down there.
WEIRD!! Ok, so let's try to see what this means...besides the fact that I was way over-tired, there's got to be something in there. We love KS so far...we love our neighborhood and the town and that we have made friends so quickly, so it's not that. But, I'm not exactly happy in my job. It's boring, and the company is ALL about politice (I HATE politics in the workplace), and people are rewarded and promoted and given astronomically huge offices just because they've been around forever, not because they actually contribute to the success of the business. Maybe that had something to do with it?
Who knows, and I don't really care...I was just so excited that I remembered one of my dreams!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Pop!
I feel like I'm going to pop!
I'm in Oklahoma this week for work...and that means dinners out...when others pay the bill...and that means that I eat too much!
I'd been doing really well until we went out for THE BEST German food last night. The restaurant had come highly recommended from several people, and since I have German blood coursing through my veins, I had to try it out. I managed to convince 7 other people to go with me, so off we went in search of The Royal Bavaria in Moore, OK. Check out the link, and make sure your sound is on...we got to listen to similar stuff while we were there! I felt like I was IN Germany!
This place is AWESOME! The menu has no less than 25 entree choices from authentic German dishes...anything from schnitzel to brauten to port loin, and then there's the beer that's brewed on the premises and homemade bread and Black Forest Cake...and I tasted just about everything! The Black Forest cake was made on site, and it was the REAL DEAL! Actually, everything was made on site! The dining room was decorated in true German fashion with rustic wood tables and chairs, doilies on the tables, and the blue and white Bavarian flag. We spent 2 hours gobbling our food, slurping our beer and stuffing dessert into our faces...and then we rolled ourselves out to the cars.
I couldn't drag my butt to the exercise room, so I did crunches and lunges and pushups in my room...which in no way worked off all the calories from dinner, but at least it was something.
AND THEN, tonight, I did it again. This time we went to a steak house where I couldn't pass up the fillet, baked potato, salad with creamy garlic dressing, and 2 glasses of Pinot Noir. And, once again, I'm in my room doing crunches, leg lifts and pushups...where is my will power??
I'm in Oklahoma this week for work...and that means dinners out...when others pay the bill...and that means that I eat too much!
I'd been doing really well until we went out for THE BEST German food last night. The restaurant had come highly recommended from several people, and since I have German blood coursing through my veins, I had to try it out. I managed to convince 7 other people to go with me, so off we went in search of The Royal Bavaria in Moore, OK. Check out the link, and make sure your sound is on...we got to listen to similar stuff while we were there! I felt like I was IN Germany!
This place is AWESOME! The menu has no less than 25 entree choices from authentic German dishes...anything from schnitzel to brauten to port loin, and then there's the beer that's brewed on the premises and homemade bread and Black Forest Cake...and I tasted just about everything! The Black Forest cake was made on site, and it was the REAL DEAL! Actually, everything was made on site! The dining room was decorated in true German fashion with rustic wood tables and chairs, doilies on the tables, and the blue and white Bavarian flag. We spent 2 hours gobbling our food, slurping our beer and stuffing dessert into our faces...and then we rolled ourselves out to the cars.
I couldn't drag my butt to the exercise room, so I did crunches and lunges and pushups in my room...which in no way worked off all the calories from dinner, but at least it was something.
AND THEN, tonight, I did it again. This time we went to a steak house where I couldn't pass up the fillet, baked potato, salad with creamy garlic dressing, and 2 glasses of Pinot Noir. And, once again, I'm in my room doing crunches, leg lifts and pushups...where is my will power??
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Shoveling, Blisters, and Aliens
One of the last 10 snow shovels in Wichita, Kansas: $8.99
Calories burned from shoveling driveway: 285
Blisters produced during effort: 1
The feeling that I cleared the driveway, all by myself: Priceless!
Check out my work...and my blister:
After my "workout", B and I (mostly B) made a HUGE snowman in the back yard...he's over 7' tall! He's kind of a funny looking snowman -- looks more like an alien...maybe a long-lost family member of ET. I made B stand next to him so you can see how big he is...B is 6'1"...
The sun came out right after we finished the snowman and came back in. It's gorgeous!! People are outside all over our neighborhood -- shoveling snow, sledding with their kids, throwing snowballs. The temperature isn't too cold, there is NO wind, and the snow covering everything is beautiful. When we took the dogs for a walk this morning, we smelled homemade bread baking. Somehow, I'm starting to really enjoy the winter! What's happened to me??
Calories burned from shoveling driveway: 285
Blisters produced during effort: 1
The feeling that I cleared the driveway, all by myself: Priceless!
Check out my work...and my blister:
After my "workout", B and I (mostly B) made a HUGE snowman in the back yard...he's over 7' tall! He's kind of a funny looking snowman -- looks more like an alien...maybe a long-lost family member of ET. I made B stand next to him so you can see how big he is...B is 6'1"...
The sun came out right after we finished the snowman and came back in. It's gorgeous!! People are outside all over our neighborhood -- shoveling snow, sledding with their kids, throwing snowballs. The temperature isn't too cold, there is NO wind, and the snow covering everything is beautiful. When we took the dogs for a walk this morning, we smelled homemade bread baking. Somehow, I'm starting to really enjoy the winter! What's happened to me??
Saturday, January 20, 2007
"Look at those stupid Californians!"
I think my neighbors were hiding behind their curtains saying, "Look at those stupid Californians over there!" as we tried to clear the ice and snow from our driveway just now.
Lessons Learned about Shoveling Snow
1. A garden hoe is not the best tool to shovel ice and snow.
2. Do NOT wait until there is 3" of heavy wet snow on top of 2" of ice before you start clearing the driveway.
3. People in warm dry cars will look out at you and laugh outright.
4. You do NOT need to bundle up when you are shoveling 3" of heavy wet snow and 2" of ice. You WILL sweat!
5. On days that you plan to shovel ice and snow, you can probably skip your regular workout - this is workout enough!
This is how it worked...hubby used the garden shovel to break up the ice. I used the garden hoe, metal rake and push broom...and my hands...to shove the chunks of ice to the side and push the snow out of the driveway. Within 5 minutes, I was working up a sweat under my t-shirt, sweatshirt, scarf, hat and down coat. Both hubby and I had to stop frequently to rest and catch our breaths.
I'm really disappointed in the picture below because it DOES NOT accurately portray all the work we did...I think the reason is that new snow covered the driveway before I took the picture...but BELIEVE ME, the driveway was covered in inches of ice that hubby worked very hard to chip away...and I worked very hard to push it out of the way.
I have no idea how long it took to clear the drive, but when we were done, we hitched up the pups to their leashes and took a walk around the block. It was gorgeous! Everything is covered in white, and the puppies had a blast! Hubby kept scooping up snow and munching on it while the dogs just continued to accumulate snow in their fur. I think they both gained about 5 pounds in snow by the time we got home.
I made my first snow angel when we got back to the house...the picture DOES NOT do it justice!
Lessons Learned about Shoveling Snow
1. A garden hoe is not the best tool to shovel ice and snow.
2. Do NOT wait until there is 3" of heavy wet snow on top of 2" of ice before you start clearing the driveway.
3. People in warm dry cars will look out at you and laugh outright.
4. You do NOT need to bundle up when you are shoveling 3" of heavy wet snow and 2" of ice. You WILL sweat!
5. On days that you plan to shovel ice and snow, you can probably skip your regular workout - this is workout enough!
This is how it worked...hubby used the garden shovel to break up the ice. I used the garden hoe, metal rake and push broom...and my hands...to shove the chunks of ice to the side and push the snow out of the driveway. Within 5 minutes, I was working up a sweat under my t-shirt, sweatshirt, scarf, hat and down coat. Both hubby and I had to stop frequently to rest and catch our breaths.
I'm really disappointed in the picture below because it DOES NOT accurately portray all the work we did...I think the reason is that new snow covered the driveway before I took the picture...but BELIEVE ME, the driveway was covered in inches of ice that hubby worked very hard to chip away...and I worked very hard to push it out of the way.
I have no idea how long it took to clear the drive, but when we were done, we hitched up the pups to their leashes and took a walk around the block. It was gorgeous! Everything is covered in white, and the puppies had a blast! Hubby kept scooping up snow and munching on it while the dogs just continued to accumulate snow in their fur. I think they both gained about 5 pounds in snow by the time we got home.
I made my first snow angel when we got back to the house...the picture DOES NOT do it justice!
I LOVE our Hummer!
I know that you may be tired of posts about the weather or stupid drivers, on my site as well as others...but I.JUST.CAN'T.STOP.
It's snowing again! My 4th snow since we've lived here. It's BEAUTIFUL!! And I didn't hide out in the house this time! I'm so proud of myself. I went to my class at the gym this morning, where it snowed and snowed while I sweated and sweated. After class my plan was to head to Wal Mart to find a snow shovel. Ok, ok, maybe we should have bought a shovel before the FOURTH snow of the year, but we didn't...and Wal Mart has NONE! Actually, they have a wimpy plastic shovel that goes in the trunk of the car, but that will last 2 seconds on the 3" of ice on our driveway!
Then I waited in a LONG line at Starbucks for my Peppermint Latte so that I had a warm drink while I sat and had my nails done. I was going to go later this afternoon for my nail appointment, but there's no sign that the snow is going to let up.
I should mention that I drove our H3 for all these errands this morning. I got my car back from the shop yesterday, but I feel much more comfortable in the truck than my car. I had NO problems maneuvering through the snow, but other people did. It was a nightmare on the streets. Some people drove just as fast as normal, others still insisted on turning in front of each other. I just took it nice and slow.
I made it home with no problems, and as I pulled into the garage, I drove right over my newspaper which was BURIED in snow! I thought B had picked it up, but no, it was just buried!
Now I'm sitting on the couch warming up, thinking about eating Tortilla Soup for lunch, and about which neighbor I'm going to call to ask about borrowing their snow shovel...as our afternoon activity will be ATTEMPTING to clear the driveway...should be fun! If I can get my camera to work, I'll snap a few pictures.
Stay warm and safe out there! As soon as the novelty of snow wears off, I'll stop posting about it, I promise!
It's snowing again! My 4th snow since we've lived here. It's BEAUTIFUL!! And I didn't hide out in the house this time! I'm so proud of myself. I went to my class at the gym this morning, where it snowed and snowed while I sweated and sweated. After class my plan was to head to Wal Mart to find a snow shovel. Ok, ok, maybe we should have bought a shovel before the FOURTH snow of the year, but we didn't...and Wal Mart has NONE! Actually, they have a wimpy plastic shovel that goes in the trunk of the car, but that will last 2 seconds on the 3" of ice on our driveway!
Then I waited in a LONG line at Starbucks for my Peppermint Latte so that I had a warm drink while I sat and had my nails done. I was going to go later this afternoon for my nail appointment, but there's no sign that the snow is going to let up.
I should mention that I drove our H3 for all these errands this morning. I got my car back from the shop yesterday, but I feel much more comfortable in the truck than my car. I had NO problems maneuvering through the snow, but other people did. It was a nightmare on the streets. Some people drove just as fast as normal, others still insisted on turning in front of each other. I just took it nice and slow.
I made it home with no problems, and as I pulled into the garage, I drove right over my newspaper which was BURIED in snow! I thought B had picked it up, but no, it was just buried!
Now I'm sitting on the couch warming up, thinking about eating Tortilla Soup for lunch, and about which neighbor I'm going to call to ask about borrowing their snow shovel...as our afternoon activity will be ATTEMPTING to clear the driveway...should be fun! If I can get my camera to work, I'll snap a few pictures.
Stay warm and safe out there! As soon as the novelty of snow wears off, I'll stop posting about it, I promise!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Freakin’ Texans
In my frustration this morning, I whipped out my laptop as we drove through East Texas and typed up the following. I couldn't post it until now when I'm home and connected again...but the "therapy" was much needed!
Westbound I-20 in Canton, TX, is empty! About 2 miles and 25 minutes ago, they routed ALL the traffic off of I-20 and onto the frontage road, which we are now crawling along. There is NO road work happening on the interstate (which is only 50 feet away from us), and there is NO accident, which was hubby’s theory for our exit from the main road. We have passed at least 2 other exits, where we could have been routed off, but NO, they had to take us off 2 miles back.
My only consolation is that I convinced hubby to turn off his boring sports talk radio…now we’re listening to satellite radio, Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight…for your right…to party!” Wish I was partying now. Oh, hubby changed station, now it’s “Rollin’ on the River”…we are SO NOT rolling right now!
We just passed a billboard that says, “Jesus said, ‘It is Finished!’”…I wish this ridiculous road closing was finished!
Ok, now we can see a bunch of police lights up ahead…maybe it is an accident, but it still doesn’t explain why we got off the road so early…we are supposed to hit a model train store in Dallas before we meet my friend for lunch…we are going to be LATE!
Right before we exited, we passed by the exit for Tyler, Texas, the town we lived in when we first got married. Tyler is NOT a fun place to live. Everyone is snooty and rude and they think they’re big shots with old money. We lasted there for 1 ½ years, and then beat it out of there. I teased hubby and asked him if he wanted to stop and visit, but he said NO, we’d seen enough when we lived there!
We’re getting back on the interstate FINALLY. I have NO idea what was going on. We passed about 3 cop cars, with the little state troopers in their silly looking cowboy hats, and there was on car with their flashers on sitting on the shoulder. It had not been wrecked, it looked like someone was in the driver’s seat, and the cops were taking pictures. I’ll have to do some googling later to see if I can find out what happened. Our little detour cost us about 30 minutes. B will have to shop fast in his train store…someday I will post photos and blog about his latest hobby…the N Scale Model Train that has taken over our basement.
Oh, D’Mama…just wanted to tell you that hubby ate at Whataburger 3 times in the 36 hours we were in Louisiana…there was one right across the road from our hotel. I think his favorite item was the fried Cherry Pie!
Westbound I-20 in Canton, TX, is empty! About 2 miles and 25 minutes ago, they routed ALL the traffic off of I-20 and onto the frontage road, which we are now crawling along. There is NO road work happening on the interstate (which is only 50 feet away from us), and there is NO accident, which was hubby’s theory for our exit from the main road. We have passed at least 2 other exits, where we could have been routed off, but NO, they had to take us off 2 miles back.
My only consolation is that I convinced hubby to turn off his boring sports talk radio…now we’re listening to satellite radio, Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight…for your right…to party!” Wish I was partying now. Oh, hubby changed station, now it’s “Rollin’ on the River”…we are SO NOT rolling right now!
We just passed a billboard that says, “Jesus said, ‘It is Finished!’”…I wish this ridiculous road closing was finished!
Ok, now we can see a bunch of police lights up ahead…maybe it is an accident, but it still doesn’t explain why we got off the road so early…we are supposed to hit a model train store in Dallas before we meet my friend for lunch…we are going to be LATE!
Right before we exited, we passed by the exit for Tyler, Texas, the town we lived in when we first got married. Tyler is NOT a fun place to live. Everyone is snooty and rude and they think they’re big shots with old money. We lasted there for 1 ½ years, and then beat it out of there. I teased hubby and asked him if he wanted to stop and visit, but he said NO, we’d seen enough when we lived there!
We’re getting back on the interstate FINALLY. I have NO idea what was going on. We passed about 3 cop cars, with the little state troopers in their silly looking cowboy hats, and there was on car with their flashers on sitting on the shoulder. It had not been wrecked, it looked like someone was in the driver’s seat, and the cops were taking pictures. I’ll have to do some googling later to see if I can find out what happened. Our little detour cost us about 30 minutes. B will have to shop fast in his train store…someday I will post photos and blog about his latest hobby…the N Scale Model Train that has taken over our basement.
Oh, D’Mama…just wanted to tell you that hubby ate at Whataburger 3 times in the 36 hours we were in Louisiana…there was one right across the road from our hotel. I think his favorite item was the fried Cherry Pie!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Due to the weather...
We're in Louisiana. It's 34 degrees outside. They closed the movie theater "due to the weather." What??
I finished my training at 5pm today, so B and I decided to find a nice place for dinner and then go see The Good Shepherd.
Well, we did have a nice dinner at a place called Copeland's...B had a big juicy burger and I had blackened chicken (we ARE in Louisiana...I had to get something blackened!).
Then we headed over to the movie theater for our 7:50pm movie. The girl at the box office informed me that they were closing the theater due to the weather. I turned around and looked at the parking lot where there were one or two puddles, and the temperature was 34 degrees...I turned back around and said, "What weather?" She said they're closing the roads because of the ice...it's 34 degrees!!!
We turned around and left, but what the heck? Am I already such a midwest girl that a little ice doesn't scare me?? Ha! That's funny!
A storm blew through Shreveport today that wsn't expected. They said that it was sleeting, but all I ever saw was rain. They closed the schools at 11am today because the weather was so horrible.
I'm laughing so hard, because THIS WAS ME a few months ago...weather like this would have grounded me! Hubby should be proud of me!
Anyway, we're back in our hotel wishing that we would have driven to Dallas as soon as I finished working...we'd be almost halfway home by now! But, we'll leave tomorrow morning and stop in Dallas to have lunch with an old friend and her 2 boys. Ali was my next door neighbor when we lived in San Antonio in high school, and I haven't seen her for about 5 years when we went to her NYE party...I've never met her kids, so it will be tons of fun!
Monday, January 15, 2007
I finally ventured out…
I stayed home on Friday and worked from home…it was icy and slushy that morning when it was time to drive to work. But, it ended up being ok the rest of the day – cold and dreary, but ok to drive. I went to the grocery store to get some food, since the storm was supposed to roll in and stick around the rest of the weekend.
That was the LAST time I stuck my nose out until this morning, when I had to leave for work. The sleet came in all day Saturday and Sunday…it never really snowed…but our street and driveway and yard are covered in about 3 inches of HARD ICE.
I was a nervous wreck this morning, as I’ve never had to drive in this stuff before. And, I had to take my car to the shop on the way (more on that later), so B had to follow me and then drop me off at work. He was NOT sympathetic to my feelings. In fact, he was just plain mean about it. He told me to stop being a baby and get out there and learn how to drive in this stuff.
Yes, I need to learn how to drive in this, but I don’t need my husband yelling at me to stop being a baby…that’s not helpful, or encouraging, or nice. I got mad back at him and told him I was going to quit my job and not leave the house again until the roads were clear…I may even have muttered something about God-forsaken Kansas…who knows…
Finally, at 8:15, I bundled up and got into my car. Backing out of the garage and down the driveway was the worst part of the whole drive. B was right, I just need to get out into it and practice, but whatever. The roads had been plowed, salted, and sanded…so after I got out of our neighborhood (which HADN’T been plowed), I was fine. I just took it slow.
It took 30 minutes to drive the 10 miles across town to the shop for my car, where I had to leave my baby so they can replace the head gasket. For the last few weeks, my car has been telling me that the coolant level is low. The first couple times, we just filled it up, then B started to notice coolant leaking on the floor of the garage. So, I made an appointment at the only place in town that works on Saabs, and I took it in. We just thought the coolant tank had a leak in it…but, OH NO…the head gasket is blown.
Now, usually that means you’ve driven the car too hard, or run it out of oil, or something equally horrible…but I have done none of those things…so, who knows how this happened. Luckily when I bought my car, it came with an extended warranty that is still good. The estimate for the work came back at $771, which is 30% less than I thought it would be (my GF’s hubby thought it would be $3,000…what?? But he was WAY wrong), and my warranty will pay about 70% of the total. Not bad. So, my baby is sitting in the cold waiting to get fixed…it will probably be there most of this week.
It’s ok that I’m without a car this week because I’m supposed to go to Shreveport, LA, tomorrow for some training for work. I’M DRIVING 550 miles to Louisiana to a plant we have there to get some training FOR ONE DAY. I will spend twice as much time in the car as I will in the plant. Oh well, at least it’s not behind my desk!
And here’s the cool part of the whole thing. Hubby is going to go with me because the plant I’m going to visit makes the seats for the H3. The seat plant is part of my company, and the finished seats go straight across town to the final assembly plant for the H3…which, is the vehicle hubby owns, drives, and LOVES!! AND WE GET TO GO SEE IT!!
For all you non-manufacturing types out there, you may think I’m kinda strange, but I LOVE to see how things are built and manufactured, especially if it’s something I own. And if you saw my basement, you would know how much my former Marine hubby LOVES LOVES LOVES Hummers.
Of course, the storm that hit us also hit Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, so we have to wait and see what the roads look like later today before we decide when we’re leaving.
That was the LAST time I stuck my nose out until this morning, when I had to leave for work. The sleet came in all day Saturday and Sunday…it never really snowed…but our street and driveway and yard are covered in about 3 inches of HARD ICE.
I was a nervous wreck this morning, as I’ve never had to drive in this stuff before. And, I had to take my car to the shop on the way (more on that later), so B had to follow me and then drop me off at work. He was NOT sympathetic to my feelings. In fact, he was just plain mean about it. He told me to stop being a baby and get out there and learn how to drive in this stuff.
Yes, I need to learn how to drive in this, but I don’t need my husband yelling at me to stop being a baby…that’s not helpful, or encouraging, or nice. I got mad back at him and told him I was going to quit my job and not leave the house again until the roads were clear…I may even have muttered something about God-forsaken Kansas…who knows…
Finally, at 8:15, I bundled up and got into my car. Backing out of the garage and down the driveway was the worst part of the whole drive. B was right, I just need to get out into it and practice, but whatever. The roads had been plowed, salted, and sanded…so after I got out of our neighborhood (which HADN’T been plowed), I was fine. I just took it slow.
It took 30 minutes to drive the 10 miles across town to the shop for my car, where I had to leave my baby so they can replace the head gasket. For the last few weeks, my car has been telling me that the coolant level is low. The first couple times, we just filled it up, then B started to notice coolant leaking on the floor of the garage. So, I made an appointment at the only place in town that works on Saabs, and I took it in. We just thought the coolant tank had a leak in it…but, OH NO…the head gasket is blown.
Now, usually that means you’ve driven the car too hard, or run it out of oil, or something equally horrible…but I have done none of those things…so, who knows how this happened. Luckily when I bought my car, it came with an extended warranty that is still good. The estimate for the work came back at $771, which is 30% less than I thought it would be (my GF’s hubby thought it would be $3,000…what?? But he was WAY wrong), and my warranty will pay about 70% of the total. Not bad. So, my baby is sitting in the cold waiting to get fixed…it will probably be there most of this week.
It’s ok that I’m without a car this week because I’m supposed to go to Shreveport, LA, tomorrow for some training for work. I’M DRIVING 550 miles to Louisiana to a plant we have there to get some training FOR ONE DAY. I will spend twice as much time in the car as I will in the plant. Oh well, at least it’s not behind my desk!
And here’s the cool part of the whole thing. Hubby is going to go with me because the plant I’m going to visit makes the seats for the H3. The seat plant is part of my company, and the finished seats go straight across town to the final assembly plant for the H3…which, is the vehicle hubby owns, drives, and LOVES!! AND WE GET TO GO SEE IT!!
For all you non-manufacturing types out there, you may think I’m kinda strange, but I LOVE to see how things are built and manufactured, especially if it’s something I own. And if you saw my basement, you would know how much my former Marine hubby LOVES LOVES LOVES Hummers.
Of course, the storm that hit us also hit Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, so we have to wait and see what the roads look like later today before we decide when we’re leaving.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Oopsy Daisy!
My hubby is not the most graceful human being. He was quite the sports hero in his youth, and he was a big bad buff (active) Marine for 6 years, but in the last 10 years, he has become a little...well...clumsy.
I suppose that he's been a little clumsy his whole life, but as he gets older, I worry more. Those little trips and falls will cause a lot more pain and agony (for BOTH of us) as he gets older. I should probably mention that BOTH of us are VERY squeamish...I've already been told to call my buddy E whenever something happens, so she can be the CONSCIOUS rational thinking person...since it won't be B or I!
B is covered in scars from all of his escapades...some from getting hurt by doing something stupid, and some from, well, just tripping over his own feet.
In high school, he was walking back to his desk in math after turning in a paper when he tripped and fell THROUGH a plate glass window. They have since replaced all of those type of windows.
In the Marines, the guys were screwing around in the halls of the dorm (that NEVER happens, right?)...they soaped up the floors, then ran and slid down them...something a 6'1" clumsy man should never do...and B slid his head RIGHT INTO a door jam. Now, the man doesn't have much hair, so the 4" scar on the side of his melon is pretty obvious!
THEN (yes, there's more), when we were dating, I sent him for more butter on the popcorn during a movie, and as he was leaving the theater he tripped on the step and sent popcorn AND himself flying. I couldn't help it, I laughed...I think it was just a snicker until he picked himself up and left the theater, but then a big GUFFAW came out. I made sure he was ok when he came back, and we both giggled a little...and he STILL married me.
Now, at this theater fiasco, he was wearing a pair of leather mocassins...not exactly shoes you should wear out of the house. He's had these mocassins FOREVER, and he will NEVER get rid of them...I've resigned myself to that fact.
Well, the mocassins came into play again this morning. We are the middle of a "winter storm" which means there's ice on the ground, it's 15 degrees outside, and we'll probably lose power sometime over the weekend. I'm a big wimp, so I decided to work from home today instead of brave the icy interstate. So, B, being the GREAT hubby he is, ventured out to get the newspaper for me this morning...in the mocassins. Did I mention that they have a SLICK leather bottom??
As he's out there, I'm thinking, I hope he doesn't fall and hit his head on the front steps, but I just sat there typing away on my laptop. About 5 minutes later, he comes limping in and throws the newspaper at my feet and says, "I fell down."
I jump up and ask him, "Are you ok??! Where did you fall?"
"On the sidewalk," he says, "the puppies couldn't see me, they couldn't help me....AAhhh!"
Our dogs sit by the storm door and watch EVERYTHING that goes by all day long...except for B when he falls down.
Being the helpful wife that I am, I say, "See, you should have put those ice walker things on that your mom gave you. Are you hurt?"
"If I was a 60 year old, I'd have a broken hip right now," he says as he hobbles into the basement to lick his wounds.
What's going to happen when he IS 60??
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
One Nation, "Under God"
My almost-SIL sent this to me this morning, and I LOVE it!
SOMEBODY'S RAISING THEIR KID RIGHT!
One Nation, "Under God"
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.
The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.
The teacher agreed, and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly
may not even have one!
(You Go Girl!)
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
II CORINTHIANS 5:7
SOMEBODY'S RAISING THEIR KID RIGHT!
One Nation, "Under God"
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.
The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.
The teacher agreed, and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly
may not even have one!
(You Go Girl!)
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
II CORINTHIANS 5:7
I am not invisible!
“I am not invisible!” I screamed into the early morning darkness.
Is she cracking up, you may be asking…has she been neglected, ignored, mistreated??
NO! I am just FED UP with the stupid stupid stupid Kansas drivers! I’m tired of being pulled in front of, cut off, slowed down, and ignored by these idiot drivers.
People say California drivers are bad…those people have OBVIOUSLY never driven in California. At least in California we pay attention to what’s going on around us. Yes, we may cut you off…but we’ll signal first…you'll know we’re coming. Yes, we may pull in front of you…but, we’ll floor the car so you won’t have to slam on your brakes. Yes, we may make sudden and frequent lane changes…but, we’ll signal…and we’ll make sure the gap is at least as big as our vehicle.
Where is that consideration in Kansas??
I have been pulled in front of more times in the last 4 months in Kansas that I had in the previous 15 years of driving in California! It’s no wonder the number of fatal car accidents in Kansas has doubled over the last several years.
Yesterday, I was cruising to work at 6:45 am, down a country road (where, may I add, you could see for MILES), when some woman in a Nissan Sentra sat and WAITED until I was about 50 feet from her, AND THEN she pulled out right in front of me. I had to SLAM on my brakes to keep from hitting her…she didn’t even flinch. This morning, again cruising to work, a Saturn pulls out of a gas station…right in front of me…here I go again, slam on the brakes…this is the time when I shouted to the heavens…”I AM NOT INVISIBLE!”
C'mon people...pay attention...notice how fast and how far away that car is that's bearing down on you. Use your turn signal. Don't talk on your cell if you can't do it and drive WELL at the same time. Pay attention at the stop sign...don't sit for ages, or just pull out - GO WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN!
Ok, I know I am a VERY impatient person, and I know that I think I'm always right...but I really think I am right this time!
Man, I could teach these people a thing or two...
why have my posts sounded so frustrated lately?
Is she cracking up, you may be asking…has she been neglected, ignored, mistreated??
NO! I am just FED UP with the stupid stupid stupid Kansas drivers! I’m tired of being pulled in front of, cut off, slowed down, and ignored by these idiot drivers.
People say California drivers are bad…those people have OBVIOUSLY never driven in California. At least in California we pay attention to what’s going on around us. Yes, we may cut you off…but we’ll signal first…you'll know we’re coming. Yes, we may pull in front of you…but, we’ll floor the car so you won’t have to slam on your brakes. Yes, we may make sudden and frequent lane changes…but, we’ll signal…and we’ll make sure the gap is at least as big as our vehicle.
Where is that consideration in Kansas??
I have been pulled in front of more times in the last 4 months in Kansas that I had in the previous 15 years of driving in California! It’s no wonder the number of fatal car accidents in Kansas has doubled over the last several years.
Yesterday, I was cruising to work at 6:45 am, down a country road (where, may I add, you could see for MILES), when some woman in a Nissan Sentra sat and WAITED until I was about 50 feet from her, AND THEN she pulled out right in front of me. I had to SLAM on my brakes to keep from hitting her…she didn’t even flinch. This morning, again cruising to work, a Saturn pulls out of a gas station…right in front of me…here I go again, slam on the brakes…this is the time when I shouted to the heavens…”I AM NOT INVISIBLE!”
C'mon people...pay attention...notice how fast and how far away that car is that's bearing down on you. Use your turn signal. Don't talk on your cell if you can't do it and drive WELL at the same time. Pay attention at the stop sign...don't sit for ages, or just pull out - GO WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN!
Ok, I know I am a VERY impatient person, and I know that I think I'm always right...but I really think I am right this time!
Man, I could teach these people a thing or two...
why have my posts sounded so frustrated lately?
Saturday, January 06, 2007
The Importance of Sisters
One of my "Buddies" emailed this to me, and I LOVE it! It's so true, and it reminds me that my girlfriends are so important to me...blog buddies included!
This picture is of The Buddies, taken a year ago on our annual weekend away...this time a cruise to Mexico. These girls are amazing friends to me, and my life would be missing something BIG without them!
The Importance of Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage,
about the responsibilities of life and the
obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked
the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and
turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
"They'll be more important as you get older. No
matter how much you love your husband, no matter
how much you love the children you may have, you
are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go
places with them now and then; do things with them.
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your
other women relatives too.
"You'll need other women. Women always do."
What a funny piece of advice the young woman
thought.
'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't
I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends
each year. As the years tumbled by, one after
another, she gradually came to understand that
her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their
mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays
of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing
her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying
for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law,
sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers,
aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family,
all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I.
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we
had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that
lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need
each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
This picture is of The Buddies, taken a year ago on our annual weekend away...this time a cruise to Mexico. These girls are amazing friends to me, and my life would be missing something BIG without them!
The Importance of Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage,
about the responsibilities of life and the
obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked
the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and
turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
"They'll be more important as you get older. No
matter how much you love your husband, no matter
how much you love the children you may have, you
are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go
places with them now and then; do things with them.
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your
other women relatives too.
"You'll need other women. Women always do."
What a funny piece of advice the young woman
thought.
'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't
I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends
each year. As the years tumbled by, one after
another, she gradually came to understand that
her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their
mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays
of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing
her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying
for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law,
sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers,
aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family,
all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I.
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we
had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that
lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need
each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
This is my life...
I very rarely read Dilbert, even though I AM an engineer in corporate America. I read the comics to be entertained, and I do not find Dilbert entertaining, nor do I want to be reminded, yet again, how messed up corporate America is...but...a co-worker sent this comic to me the other day, and it came at just the right time.
Since I was hired by my current company 4 1/2 months ago, I have been working on a project where we are ATTEMPTING to install a new assembly line in our plant. The old one will not keep up with the PROJECTED capacity of our plant in the coming months and years..."Projected" is in caps because as I write this, we have laid off 200 workers because we don't have enough volume to keep them building widgets.
Anyway, on with my story...our team has worked hours and hours and hours and more hours coming up with this new design, which, may I add, will kick butt! So, the next step is to purchase and install the equipment, right?
NO! We must first get approval so we can get the money so we can buy it and install it. BUT, before we can get approval, we have to figure out the cost and justify the expense, yada, yada, yada...BUT, to figure out the costs, we have to do some tests, investigate some things, predict when Jesus is coming back...ok, ok, maybe not that, but close. It's ridiculous!!!
We know that the project will cost about $2 Million, and it will save $1 Milion EVERY YEAR...that means that it will pay for itself in 2 years!! So, why, then is it SO difficult to move forward?? Who's driving this ship anyway???
Thank God it's Friday...and Happy Hour starts for me at 5:30!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
The Nightmare Continues
My moving nightmare continues...will it ever end???
I called the claims company last week to find out why I haven't received my piddly check yet, and they told me to call the moving company directly. The number I have for the movers is for HORIZON VAN LINES of Northridge, CA. I was told before my move that HORIZON VAN LINES and CALIFORNIA COAST VAN LINES are one in the same company.
My bill of lading was HANDWRITTEN to say California Coast Van Lines, and at the phone number I have for Horizon - they say that California Coast has gone out of business.
The law says that the company showing on the bill of lading is the responsible company...and apparently that company exists no more.
I found another phone number on the DOT website, and when I call it, it's the cell phone number of the supposed owner of California Coast Van Lines, but of course, she doesn't answer the phone.
The claims company is just as pissed off as I am, and they're trying to help me. Help at this point will probably mean talking to the DOT or suing.
I don't even care about the $400 that much anymore...I'm so pissed that they totally screwed me! They are a bunch of LIARS!! I KNEW I shouldn't trust them...I NEVER trust anyone...why did I choose to start trusting now?
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
It snowed on New Year's Eve! I'm sure some people were disappointed that we didn't get snow on Christmas, but I'm thankful that we didn't...Mom and Dad were flying in on Christmas and it could have messed up their flight. But, the snow was GORGEOUS on Sunday! We only got a couple inches, and it's mostly melted today, but it was pretty, and I'm glad M&D got to see it.
Here they are on our deck -- with their house in the background (the house they will move into in 2008 when they move out here). We took this picture this afternoon -- see, almost no more snow.
We had a GREAT New Year's. We had a family style party at our house. B's youngest brother and his family came, our neighbors down the street came with their kids, M&R and their son came, and my friend Shannon came later with her hubby and a friend. Add on M&D and B and I, and we had a houseful.
It was a VERY laid back party. We made a couple cocktails, but no one got even tipsy. The kids colored and watched Barnyard, while the big kids (adults) played Taboo...guys against gals...guys got clobbered!!
Here are a couple quotes from game time (just a disclaimer...intentions were innocent):
"when a man wears a skirt, he's..." -- Now, my neighbor was describing a KILT, but the entire guys side of the room started shouting out words like: cross dresser, homosexual...us chicas knew exactly what it was...
"I want to suck your..." -- I CAN NOT for the life of me remember what the sucking word was, but I was on the buzzer while my BIL described the word, and it made perfect sense to say "suck", but I have no idea now what the word was...it did, however, send the entire room into uncontrollable laughter.
Oh, and let's not forget that we fed our faces all night as well. All my kitchen counters were covered with snacks - chips and salsa, beef stick, cheese and crackers, brownies, candy. cookies, cream cheese and mango chutney, veggies (to be a LITTLE healthy), deviled eggs...there was NO shortage of food.
Everyone but M&D and BIL, SIL and nieces left before midnight (to get kids in bed), so we rang in the New Year as a family with glasses of champagne and toasted each other for a Happy New Year. Several neighbors around us were lighting off fireworks, so B found it necessary to throw an M-80 off our deck...and even though I KNEW the boom was coming, I still spilled my drink all over the floor when it went off. We walked our guests to the door, cleaned up the kitchen, chatted with mom and dad a bit, and were in bed, asleep, by 1:00 am.
I enjoyed my LAST day of vacation by staying in bed until 9am today, and then reading the paper and drinking my coffee in my jammies on the couch...I'm in denial...I AM NOT READY TO GO BACK TO WORK TOMORROW!
Besides that, I look forward to what 2007 brings to B and I. Only God knows, but we're praying for an extension to our family, and for jobs/careers that bring us happiness and fulfillment.
Bring it on, 2007!
Just back from the airport
We just dropped my parents off at the airport...they are on their way back to California...and that means the holidays are officially over.
I'm not ready yet!! How in the world am I going to drag my butt out of bed at 6am tomorrow? I'm not ready to get up early, or go back to work, or take down my Christmas decorations (which I won't, they'll be up for a couple more weeks at least!)...my house will look so sad when all the garland and lights and stockings are gone.
I used to say that Easter was my favorite holiday - I mean what's not to love about our Savior rising from the dead in the middle of beautiful spring...realizing that everything is new and fresh and forgiven. But, then I realized that there wouldn't be Easter if we didn't have Christmas first, when our savior is born...and I CAN NOT resist all the red and green decorations, and sweet treats, and jolly spirits, and giving gifts, and singing carols, and a Christmas Eve candlelight service...so Christmas is my FAVOVITE holiday. Oh, and you get the bonus of another holiday just a week later.
BUT, all good things come an end, right? And my holidays are OVER! I have some GREAT gifts to show for it, awesome pictures, and a few more pounds pooching over the top of my Lucky jeans...but they're still over.
Tomorrow it's back to the real world...how long til Good Friday??
I'm not ready yet!! How in the world am I going to drag my butt out of bed at 6am tomorrow? I'm not ready to get up early, or go back to work, or take down my Christmas decorations (which I won't, they'll be up for a couple more weeks at least!)...my house will look so sad when all the garland and lights and stockings are gone.
I used to say that Easter was my favorite holiday - I mean what's not to love about our Savior rising from the dead in the middle of beautiful spring...realizing that everything is new and fresh and forgiven. But, then I realized that there wouldn't be Easter if we didn't have Christmas first, when our savior is born...and I CAN NOT resist all the red and green decorations, and sweet treats, and jolly spirits, and giving gifts, and singing carols, and a Christmas Eve candlelight service...so Christmas is my FAVOVITE holiday. Oh, and you get the bonus of another holiday just a week later.
BUT, all good things come an end, right? And my holidays are OVER! I have some GREAT gifts to show for it, awesome pictures, and a few more pounds pooching over the top of my Lucky jeans...but they're still over.
Tomorrow it's back to the real world...how long til Good Friday??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
