Agent DragonFly

My week with my MOM: A Mother's Day Tribute

2011-05-08T15:59:00.001-05:00

Well, since it is Mother's Day....and since my mother was here last week and I was going to write thi,s anyway.....I am going to write about the time I spent with my mom.

My mom came to visit me Monday night because she was going to help me post surgery. I had VERY minor surgery Tues....no big deal---- I am fine.

Anyway, my mom truly has a heart of gold....but can also be absolutely Evil and extremely Difficult. She is a Gemini....and I actually believe she has Two Sides...NO Doubt. We generally get along....because I kind of go with the flow and let her be crazy and eccentric and particular- even though sometimes it is annoying.

However, I was a bit concerned because she had been acting difficult the week leading up to her visit. Normally she has her happy mom voice when we talk on the phone, except when it is inconvenient for her....like the week before when she used my First and Middle name to tell me she had to go. Um...Ok....I was just calling to say hello. Then later that day I texted her to tell her the deal on the house fell thru and I recieved "Sorry" and that is IT....no follow up phone call even the next day....no..."Oh I am so sorry to hear that" just "Sorry" like I couldn't find my keys. That's my mom....and if things don't go HER way...LOOK OUT.

But let's move on to the visit.

Monday night we both checked into the hotel. She reserved a hotel suite for us.....not super fancy, but very comfortable.

Before I even arrived she had already had the manager change the shower head from the standard one they have installed to HER shower head that she brought with her. I am not kidding.

She had taken up the entire left side of the bathroom counter space and when I asked where I was going to put my stuff I was told I could put my stuff on the Right hand side, and that there was equal amount of space. My response: "There is not equal amount of space after you moved all the hotel stuff to the right side to make room for your stuff on the Left side", but I kind of laughed about and I am used to traveling and not always having space to 'set up'.

While setting up I noticed she had brought several night lights, from home, too.

I noted to her that she decided to get a Brookstone travel alarm clock that has a flashlight sensor when you pick it up.....and she was adamant that she had bought it first and I got the idea from HER. Of course I was adamant about the opposite, but she is getting older and senile so I eventually just left it alone.

After dinner we had to go to Target and get huge packs of bottled water for her stay (as we have a refrigerator) and she HAS to have bottled water. We also HAD to buy toilet paper....b/c apparently the hotel toilet paper was not soft or durable enough.

She just cracked me up with her little idiosyncrasies and I could somewhat relate to some of them....so I saw some of me in her.

One thing that I could not get over and my dad and I were secretly texting about EVERY TIME I got in the car with her--- we HAD to use the GPS......I do NOT care if we were going LITERALLY across the street.....we HAD to use the GPS. My mom has a SEVERE addiction to her GPS unit and THAT is REALLY annoying. Not only do we have to use it, we have to listen to it....but she will STILL ask me for directions and I have to talk OVER the GPS to tell her. ALSO....once we arrive at our destination we have to talk about all the times the GPS has saved her from traffic.....or shown her new better ways to get home (which I suspect really weren't better.....and were probably out of the way---- if it is anything like MY GPS unit), but anyway. It was ANNOYING but funny. My dad texted me not to be surprised if one day going down the freeway he opens the door and pushes them both out....lol. My dad and I share a very dry sense of humor and often it is at my mother's expense. Usually she is in her own world and it goes over her head....

It was a very pleasant visit and we really did get along great and although we have different ways of approaching many things we are similar in many ways, and it was kind of fun to see how much alike we are. Our mannerisms are very similar and the way and what we eat, etc.....

I don't often (or ever) spend that much time in such close quarters with my mom so it did offer a chance to get to know each other a little better.

LOVE YOU MOM <3

Sasha has Allgeries

2011-04-27T01:10:00.002-05:00

Poor Sasha.....between me working and out of town NON stop and NON stop all day busy on days off she has not been given the usual care she is used to. She is very self sufficient.....but I am in charge of bathing her in b/t groomings.....and HONESTLY.....I have had NO time. Been working a TON....and then running errands.....doing stuff for house....and then leaving house for showings. VERY difficult to fit EVERYTHING in.....

So....poor Sasha...with summer coming has skin allergies and has started chewing like crazy on her arms (front legs). I just can't take it.....she looks ok but I KNOW it MUST be driving her crazy, and I haven't even been able to get her Benadryl......b/c until it really became worse I wanted to avoid it.

Well I came home tonight WAY too late to stop for Benadryl.....and Sasha has been just NON stop itching and chewing. :'(

So finally I cut out a few mats.......and then applied Caladryl Clear to her itchy spots. At first she was excited....then was like wait....(I think she could feel it working.....) she jumped around a lot - un sure- then a couple of times tried to itch....but I said NO....b/c I don't want her to injest Caladryl.

She seems settled now, and I HOPE is more comfortable......

She needs a grooming appt BAD....hopefully Thurs, my first day off......

DRY EYE SYNDROME

2011-03-08T22:24:00.003-06:00

Ok...it sounds like 'Oh just Dry Eye Syndrome' whatever....put some drops in. I am here to tell you it is NO LAUGHING matter (well except the pic I will post later), but SERIOUSLY----

Dry Eye Syndrome, when in flare up mode, is EXTREMELY painful!!! Like....I just want morphine already...seriously. I have had a few flare ups a few years ago but they mostly last only a few hours......

This winter I have had several and they are a force to be reckoned with. RED, SWOLLEN eye, Watery to the point o f going through a box of tissue..... sensitivity to light.

I woke up in this condition this morning......and it has been one of the WORST flare ups to date. I couldn't drive to dr.....and so basically just laid in bed, in the dark, with tissues and eye drops.

When ex MrD came home he's like well make an eye patch from a 1st class eye shade......I was like I don't know it will help, but I did.....and it has helped. Typing this not easy, but at least I am not laying in the dark hoping for sleep or someone to come to tell me a story, b/c I couldn't even watch tv.

FYI.....started Restasis about a month ago and has been better, but Restasis takes awhile to really help (I hear).....

Anyway....if you have Dry Eye Syndrome....You are NOT alone...it is common, and it SUCKS....and I feel your pain.....

Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and if not I will at least be able to drive to dr......but at least w/ patch I can at least watch tv, and blog, or whatever for a few hrs to get me out of the dark cavern of watery eye suffering

Why I NEED My Own Place

2011-03-04T01:36:00.001-06:00

Why I NEED my own place:

1. I NEED ME TIME

2. I do NOT need to deal with other people's drama.....for a period of time, at least--- and possibly EVER, after all this

3. I can spend my ZERO money on ME and not feel in debt to others.....nor will someone (a husband ask for shit)

4. I like things clean & organized.....I want to come back to that. On RARE occasions I do not care about organization I still know where shit is, and WILL organize it

5. I am handy.....I have a tool kit and know how to fix things better than pretty much anyone I have lived with since 2 people in NYC

---- for instance: MrD installed new shower head the other day....since then LOW LOW water pressure. Being determined I fixed it tonight. He never would have gotten around to it....and would have blamed shower head making a useless trip to Target for return, only to end up same

6. I can watch, or NOT watch, what I want when I want or not

7. I don't have to be quiet and I don't have to deal w/ someone who is NOT quiet and thinks it's fine to talk in my ear while I am on the phone....or talk loudly while I am trying to sleep in between working

8. I don't have to take care of ANYONE, but ME and my lovely Sasha......

9. I can listen to music and just stare and think about how amazing this moment is and how long I waited for it

To Be Continued.........

More Cowbell

2011-01-23T14:08:00.004-06:00

Does this emititcon mean "More Cowbell"? I like to think so

(for some reason picture posted sideways?? IDK)

New Year's Resolutions??

2011-01-18T23:23:00.003-06:00

Wow.....been soo busy...COMPLETELY forgot about even thinking about New Year's Resolutions.

December:

Worked to Caracas, Venezuela
Spent a week in Cozumel (day after work)
Day after Cozumel worked to Rio
ONE day off
BACK to Rio
2 days off
Buenos Aries over XMas
1 day off
go to work and after 2 hrs of sitting there go to Seattle and back (red eye)---- then when I got in, @8am, had to go BACK to airport SAME night
after ending that assignment I had to go to London 11hrs later

January:

Day after London trip.......had to go to court and finalize divorce
1 day off
then worked to Sao Paulo
1 day off
back to Buenos Aries
next day Interview for promotion
(same day as interview) 4 days off but with friend in town--fun, but still draining
work....luckily was able to tackle many aspects of tax return filing during this work period
back to Sao Paulo (tomorrow....1/19/2011)

In the meantime, just trying to take care of things.....like divorce paperwork, court, getting house up for sale.....and even interviewing for a promotion.

OMG.....for people in the 'normal' business world this may not seem stressful, but for me!! OMG....I haven't worked on resume, or EVEN thought of updating resume!!! Aaaahhhh!!!

So......OMG.....yes, I WAS able to complete EVERYTHING: Application....reference letters, and updated resume. I was lacking in interview update skills and was EXHAUSTED, so VERY NOT sure how I did.....I will keep you updated.

Been somewhat obsessed about how I did, in interview, but have also resolved myself to if I get the promotion it is meant to be....if not.....another time will be better, when I am more prepared, perhaps-- BUT I DO hope I receive the promotion.

Closing:

New Year's Resolution: Move on in a positive direction........not so much defining specific goals. Being a better, more positive and giving person in all aspects of my life and hoping that the strong and difficult decisions I made towards the end of last year will serve me well.....and perhaps lift a burden that allows me to be more open to amazing opportunities and seeing the world in a different light.

Roommates Are Fun, I think

2010-12-27T19:32:00.002-06:00

After I left NYC, in August 2006, I was happy living alone….it was a nice change from sharing a multiple bedroom apartment with roughly 2 people to each room. I was just turning 30.
It wasn’t really by choice that I left NY, but that is a story in itself….and has little relevance to the subject of this post.
I embraced living alone….Since then I have been married and am now nearing a divorce. Through my marriage I always found the oddity in 2 people attempting to coexist. Obviously, my ex husband and I did not do very well. Mind you, as roommates, we were not bad…..and many things I found humorous about our differences. However….this post is not about THAT either.
This post is about where I find myself, NOW. Once again….living with a roommate….at 36.
Most people are over it, by this age, but I think….for the most part it’s fun. When I was married I used to think I needed a roommate, b/c although my ex is a good person….we were not GREAT together and I wanted someone to hang out with…someone to talk to….and someone to have fun with. Having a roommate can be, at times, like having your best friend stop by and you watch movies together….drink too much wine….or battle the families, with the big car shopping carts, down the aisle at the grocery store.
I think it is funny to come home and wonder why the hell panty hose are on the kitchen counter, and why she can’t figure out how to put the ironing board away (which actually has turned into a VERY good place to put important paperwork….so that works out)…..and in turn…..if my roommate were to come home right now she may wonder why the hell the broom is in the living room which is carpeted.
Answer to that question: It was 30 degrees when I came home this morning and we haven’t had to turn the heater on. I held out as long as I could, but when I took a shower and 2 cats and a dog tried to crawl into the shower b/c that was where the warm water was coming from…..I knew it was time to turn on the heater, at least on low. Since it hadn’t been used it, AT ALL, it at first emitted a burning smell, thus setting off the smoke detectors, fanning them with the broom is the obvious answer to solving that. I had been awake forever and am jetlagged…..so manana, manana I put the broom back.
Why does my 5’2″ 90lb roommate need 4 towels and 3 washrags to shower?? hahhahaha……this is the stuff I think is funny. Peoples’ idiosyncrasies are fascinating to me.
We are both out of town A LOT…..so we have some time alone….and in my opinion this month I have had too much time alone. I enjoy being able to talk to my roommate….I like cooking for us. I like picking out movies and discussing all sorts of things, together. Sometimes we share frustration and sometimes we probably frustrate each other, but to me…..it is still learning something new everyday and smiling @ our differences.
I am lucky….I have somewhere to live and it happens to be with one of my best friends, someone I clicked with a few years ago while working. We have been friends since. I never imagined, THEN, that NOW, we would be roommates…..another thing I love about life. You NEVER know where you will be no matter how you imagine things.
Some people NEED plans…..and I am not going to say I am completely void of that….but I also embrace new adventures and the way things happen to fall into place. I am definitely spontaneous and I enjoy the things I end up experiencing from that…most of the time.

Unexpected Holiday Inspiration

2010-12-21T23:49:00.003-06:00

December has been a busy month....as it is for pretty much EVERYONE, I realize. I have actually been able to work A LOT...which has been GREAT and I suppose inspirational. It has been an extremely nice change from sitting and wondering if/ when and WHERE work will send me.....and actually just working. Working means I am out of town A LOT....which makes getting other things accomplished difficult, but it seems the more busy I am, lately.....the more I accomplish. I suppose that supports the statement "If you want something done....give it to a busy person" That statement is very true.

I have to admit...not much of my productivity as been Holiday motivated....I am only sending 3 cards this year and I JUST bought & wrote in them today....but things have been hectic & I am still trying to settle into a new life, etc....

I have flown to Rio and back twice in the last 10 days.....having 2 days off.....1 being today. My last day off I went to store & then made several meals and sides to just heat up for my roommate and I, as I knew I would be working a lot but I still wanted to eat mostly home cooked meals.

Today, I got up ran errands, came home and promptly began working on cleaning the apartment. I cleaned EVERYTHING....

I cleaned ENTIRE bathroom, and if you saw the amount of products on the counters & in the shower of our bathroom you would realize this can be an extremely tedious task. I swept, I mopped.....I cleaned the kitchen.....I vacuumed. I washed AND folded (note the ALSO folded) the towels.....I washed and put sheets back on bed (with help of Jasper--cat). I washed all the floor mats around the house.....and did regular laundry. I even Windexed ALL the glass in the apartment.

The apartment feels AWESOME.....and so do I.....

Tomorrow I MAY bake cookies.....that is not definite yet, but I am thinking about it.....

Who knew it took going thru a divorce to turn me into such a homemaker....Crazy??! But hey....whatever works.....and I am happy....I feel happy....sure, stressed over stuff, but I am happy.

I suppose that is really the best present I have received over any Holiday, Birthday or whatever....in a really long time.

It is The Big Picture....but it is the little things that make it happen. For once I look to the New Year and instead of just praying and hoping it's better....I almost know and feel it WILL be. I am/ have shed an unhealthy part of my life and I hope that leaves me open to absorb positive & amazing things that will continue to evolve through out the year.

Sometimes Curtains are better than a Balcony

2010-12-13T20:35:00.004-06:00

I'm in Rio...

I Have HIGH HOPES for Rio.....and Brazil, that they get their shit together before the Olympics.

This is my EXTREME Close Up to ONE of the 'Favellas'.....infamous for gun shots......muggings, kidnapping, drugs, and other sorted excitement.

Sometimes I like to open my balcony door and listen to the waves......I am skipping that this trip and keeping curtains closed.....not that curtains are bullet proof. And not that I 'REALLY' think I will be hit by a stray bullet.....but.....I think I have taken enough chances in life ;-)

Anywho......I am still glad I am here.....I had a nice dinner and flew with good people and NO drama.....so all good December....still a THUMBS UP....so far

Yeah....so maybe not listening to the waves, from the balcony, this trip....but hopefully soon.....things will be better here :-)

COURTSIDE front row Rockets Game!!

2010-12-12T01:57:00.007-06:00

Well....those of you that are my FB friends already know about this......and are probably sick of it...but NOT ME!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! How many chances in your life do you get FREE Courtside tickets to ANY National Sporting Event.....(NFL, NBA, etc...) Truly the forces came together and this worked out this evening.

Soooooo EXTREMELY excited and IMMENSELY grateful, to my friend, Jennifer!!!! She Truly Rocks on about a MILLION different levels!

It is always EXTRA fun when you get to experience something spur of the moment and it just sort of cosmically works out!!

The entire experience was GREAT...being RIGHT ON the court...beign with one of my great friends, and taking pictures and seeing UP CLOSE 'The Game'. I won't bore you with a long blog...b/c really the pictures say more than I could, so I will add some pics, and that is about all there is to say/ show.

I hope you enjoy:

Other pics are on FB, or in b/t my phone & camera......so here you go for now....

An amazing evening with great friends.

December feels like a Good month and hopefully 2011 will be, as well.....

*Fingers Crossed*

This Cup Could Probably Save the World

2010-12-02T00:05:00.004-06:00

Ok….maybe that is not completely true….or at all true, but seriously….the is by far my favorite cup EVER. I do have some sort of thing about favorite cups and glasses…..I am not sure why….it is just one of my things. For instance if I DO make coffee I like to use my favorite coffee mug….if it is not available I carefully choose what I consider to be the next best choice?? The coffee will still taste the same in whichever mug, but the ‘right’ mug makes the experience happier and more fun?? IDK

Ok….so this brings me to my cup, that I ADORE……and maybe to pretty much everyone it is ‘just a cup’ and whatever, but to me…..it is THE BEST EVER.
I drink LOTs of water ALL day so I like BIG cups…..and for some reason this year I have developed a liking to having ice in my water……not many other things….just water. I think b/c it is so freaking hot here. Anyway……so my issue with ALL other cups is that the ice water makes the cup sweat and no matter how many napkins I put under the cup, it still makes a mess…..and even if that problem was solved….the entire cup is sweaty, which I find annoying.

On my daily trip to Target, the other day, I made finding the perfect cup a top priority and I FOUND IT. It is FREAKING AWESOME. It hold LOTS of water and DOESN’T sweat and is insulated to keep water cold. It even has a bottle opener that is incognito on the bottom of the handle.
I know….this may sound ridiculous to you, but I don’t care…..I LOVE ‘Cup’ and even if it is not currently ‘Saving the World’ it probably could, if given the chance. Or maybe not, but it makes me happy so YEAH…..

MrCoffee's unappreciative owners

2010-11-14T01:13:00.004-06:00

Ok.....so REALLY I have had this issue with coffee makers ever since I left home and had my very own. I will start you with a bit of background: I USED to be VERY OCD.....being a A Virgo, and basically just being OCD, in general. Coffee Makers, especially bothered me.....and TO THIS DAY.....IDK......

All through college, no matter my roommates, my deal was if you make coffee, please rinse everything out after you are finished. You may as well be speaking alien.....b/c people that 'own' coffee makers, and 'brew' coffee regularly have NO concept of this ridiculous cleaning and rinsing procedure. HONESTLY, after roughly 20 yrs, I realize this ONLY matters to me. I accept it, but it is still a mystery. You wash all your other dishes and cooking utensils, I am pretty sure......

Generally it is the 'Coffee Maker' left to take on a new level of stain.....and uncertainty.....

And within that discussion I HAVE to bring up--- WHO the F**K buys WHITE coffee makers?? SERIOUSLY??!! Uh....coffee=dark stain.... look hideous, much like this sentence....especially if you are the 100% of coffee maker drip pot owner people, or whatever.......Uh ...Just the MrCoffee types, k.

I don't really drink coffee, that much, if I do, I drink espresso.....just b/c I LOVE espresso....I LOVE STRONG coffee.....SUPER strong. Anyway, so I have an espresso machine, now....and no one uses it b/c they don't know how, and they 'think' it's complicated, but it's NOT.....and it's even EASIER to clean......

But.....STILL I pass ole MrCoffee sitting there with day to week long old coffee staining his pot, and disfiguring the filter.

Now that I have the Espresso machine I generally leave the MrCoffee to the User, but on occasions....an over achiever and feel bad for MrCoffee and clean him out, as well.

More than anything.....I am wondering why am I the ONLY one that notices or even cares about this??

They Claim to be my Parents

2010-10-02T17:00:00.007-05:00

Yesterday Sasha and I, arrived in North Carolina to visit my parents. I have to say it has been pretty enjoyable...
Today we enjoyed tea in the morning, had lunch, discussed stuff....then my dad and I played Chess. Apparently this part isn't exciting to EVERYONE, but it is sort of my dad & I's thing so it was really fun, to my Dad & I. It was a GREAT game and I WON...I beat my dad for the VERY first time ever!! To me, this is exciting and momentousness...and I get to say "I WON" forever....even if I lose I can say I won a game!!! It's I think more exciting than when I beat the computer!! :D
After Chess....We all went to the Duck Pond even Sasha came :) She was VERY excited....made lots of friends!! While at the Duck Pond, we found a place to sit and my mom had two loaves of bread for 'The Ducks'.
Well, as soon as we sit down and my parents go to 'feed the ducks'.....my dad throws a slice of bread and it lands in a tree.....next my mom throws a slice of bread and hits some lady in the head. Yes, THESE are my parents....I wish I had video...Classic.
I think my favorite part after that, though, were all the kids warning new comers to be careful because "That Lady" (pointing at my mom) "throws bread at people".
OMG......I was laughing so hard....my mom found it mildly funny.....more annoyed she had more targets between her & the ducks, though.
I found my parents very interested in watching the ducks.....and myself more interested in seeing what my parents might do next. I have to say it was FUN!!
I did take a nice photo of these 2 hooligans that claim to be my actual parents:

Ha ha!! Fun day....Sasha is exhausted as displayed in the picture

No Soliciting

2010-03-12T18:46:00.002-06:00

When I came home from my last trip this sticker was sitting on the counter. When I asked Mr. DragonFly about it he notified me that he had bought it from someone selling them door to door

Me: You mean a Soliciter?

Mr. D: uh..yeah

We still haven't put it up...I do hate soliciters, but I don't know that I want this stuck on the front of my door.

Eggless

2010-02-03T18:36:00.004-06:00

Well, Yiska was finally down to 1 egg...um...I think by Sunday......I let her keep the last egg until last night. She has been pretty good about sleeping in the cage away from the eggs so I put her inside the cage & took the last egg off the top of the cage.
This morning was "The Test" to see how this would go over. There seemed to be some initial confusion over where the egg was-- a lot of looking around the top of the cage and some chirping....but rather quickly she settled back into prematernal Yiska.
In other words she is interacting w/ her inital family again...she is talkative (meaning she chirps when I leave the room....when I am in the other room...when I come back to the room.....when I open the door to outside)......she likes her neck scratched again....she's eating and making messes again.
So yes, things are back to normal.....and I have decided that if this egg laying business happens again.....like in a year or so (NOT tomorrow) we can probably get through it as a family, again.
She keeps giving Sasha the evil eye and probably thinks she took the eggs.....because basically as siblings often do....She pretty much thinks Sasha is to blame for everything.

Why husbands are like Children

2010-02-01T14:00:00.002-06:00

Perry Farrell update Jan. 29

2010-01-29T12:28:00.003-06:00

Look @ all of Perry Farrell's little baby traps, that are growing in! :)

FASCINATING

2010-01-28T19:32:00.003-06:00

So things I did accomplish today:

finished tax booklet AND mailed to people that actually do the taxes
set up a new account so I could have a better online ID on PS3-- (believe me that was not easy and I almost gave up) actually the frustration of that led to accomplishment#1
stopped @ store
got take out Thai
made dr. appts (yes plural...and more I need to make...ugh)

Things that didn't get done today:

working on my French (but I did bring French book out of study)
cleaning OUR side of the house (ie....vacuum bedroom & clean bathroom)

Yiska Lays an Egg!!!

2010-01-22T20:29:00.003-06:00

Ok..first of all for 4 yrs WE have thought Yiska is a boy...EVEN the Vet said so....so this is VERY shocking & I will be referring to her as HE (b/c it is less confusing-- for me)

So ANYWAY....today I was just minding my own business and decided to make an espresso & looked over @ Yiska's cage & noticed he was all fluffed up & sitting really low, on the top of his cage. I mean he will sit all fluffed up quite often & this is usually a good sign for birds (it means they are happy or something) but he was sitting really low which was unusual. So I decided to go over & see what was going on....I went to scratch his neck (because birds LOVE that-- especially Yiska)...it was then that he jumped up & freaked out & I discovered THE EGG!!!!

I was (still am) in COMPLETE DISBELIEF!!! I mean WTF??!!

Anyway, I finally was able to get Yiska off the top of his cage& took the egg....I felt wrong & bad.....but it's not like it was going to be fertilized or anything.....THANK GOD (1 bird is enough to clean up after).....so really I had to take it.

At first Yiska was kind of pissed but I gave him all kinds of new food & cleaned up the top of his cage so he seems happy, again. Not sure if there will be future egg laying.....I will keep you posted.

Seriously, though....OMG, REALLY??!! He might be a transsexual....My mom was encouraging by saying not everyone has a transsexual bird.....True, true.....and I do love him ALL the same...LOL

Why I Love Mr. DragonFly

2010-01-20T16:03:00.003-06:00

Well...one reason....

This was our morning BB session.....his part being the shaded blue part

Perry Farrell

2010-01-16T22:54:00.003-06:00

Well in case you don't remember I bought a Venus Fly Trap and named him Perry Farrell. Perry is doing very well in his new home and growing cute new little baby traps all the time......
He gets fed once a week.....at this point in the year it is usually dead flies that I bought on line that came w/ Perry Farrell.....
When The Queen came to visit this past Thurs & Friday we fed Perry Farrell.....the video is taken w/ her phone and the quality is ok...but we will use my camera next time.....
Anyway.....here is a video of Perry Farrell being fed :)

Electrical Issues

2010-01-15T19:09:00.007-06:00

Well during the month of December apparently I was giving off some sort of major energy of some sort & as a result my styling appliances were suffering

#1-- Old flat iron broke...but it was OLD so I didn't think much of it, but I couldn't find an exact replica to replace it, so I bought one I thought to be even better. It heated up originally (while in the UK, but then just died. It would turn on but NOT heat up....therefor considered DEAD. The following week the EXACT same thing happened to it's replacement....Ggggrrrr.....

After those 2 trips I DID find a similar flat iron to the 'Old' one...and while I was @ the airport I spoke w/ the people @ BrookStone and asked for the BEST EVER converter...not just an 'adapter'. They suggested the following, which is what I was already using:

So I INSISTED on something a bit more heavy duty....and left w/ the following:

When I first arrived to my hotel room, in the UK...this did not work AT ALL, but EVENTUALLY it did work w/ my computer & also flat iron....but after the flat iron it began smoking...hmmmmm....

Right well I unplugged everything and left for dinner.....when I came back I showered & washed hair.....which required flat ironing, once again- le sigh-

After this flat ironing session the converter blew a fuse, in the hotel room..... Since then said converter didn't work at all....but it was a bit finicky to begin with...

So before my NEXT trip to London (while in the airport) I bought the following-- A TRAVEL SURGE PROTECTOR:

Next comes my experience w/ Travel Surge Protector, which is basically no experience AT ALL.....due to it's size and demand for 3 prong outlet....Argh!!!!

Oh BY THE WAY......in the midst of this....while I was getting ready for work (AT HOME)...my OLD hairdryer blew up & I was blessed w/ a SUPER FAST trip to WalMart with 1/2 wet hair & it was all dry by the time I got back home...so that made styling near impossible....but anyway....

Due to ALL my electric issues this is now what my styling space looks like, @ the hotel:

NOTICE....AFTER ALL that I am not able to use the converter OR surge protector and am JUST using the simple 'ADAPTER' after all......

As long as nothing else blows up.....I guess I don't care....

Lunchmeat Debate

2010-01-14T21:40:00.004-06:00

Yes, the 'Grocery List' AGAIN.....AND I can't promise this will be the last time you see it.....

but when I was going down the list & writing it down I came across the following:

In case you can't read it: "More lunchmeat b/c someone said they ONLY liked Oven Roasted Turkey"

Coffee....but more fun

2010-01-13T17:57:00.002-06:00

Ha ha....I found this coffee mug last month, in London....I LOVE IT!!!

Dumb Hotel Receptionsits & when not to irritate me

2010-01-12T01:59:00.003-06:00

Ok....so I have been holding up my strength (for the most part) and been pleasant...maybe tired but trucking through this insane work schedule....I mean we ALL know I NEED and want to work.....it's just I am sort of way behind on 'Life' and unfortunately some fairly important dr. visits...not to mention EXHAUSTED.....I have had 4 days off since December 18th and 2 of those days I LITERALLY spent the ENTIRE time asleep or gettting up to pee-- oh wait I did clean the kitchen & do luandry @ 6am one of those days--- but went back to sleep.
So la la .....anywho....I got in from London Sunday & back 'on call' Mon & Tues' DESPERATLEY hoping to just lay low regroup & catch up....but NO.....I am writing you from Mexico City.
This was really THE straw.....le sigh....and I am VERY OVER 'Scheduling' telling ME what to do/ when after doing this job for like 10 freaking yrs.....but I will not get into that at the moment....
Honestly....I was in NO MOOD from 'the get go' today.....I mean Fierce...and that doesn't happen much.....like when I am @ work I tend to be the flight attendant that is always smiling & friendly etc.....but today NOT having it. I wasn't mean, or rude....but I definitely know my face said do NOT even think about it..........
The flight was fine and actaully everyone was pleasant........
When I arrived @ the hotel, here in Mexico City, I inquired about internet access in the room and if it was complimentary (for crew members) and what I needed to do. My answer was a non convincing 'dial 0 when you reach your room'.....I EVEN asked..."When I dial 0 am I going to be talking to YOU again??"
Moving on.......When I did arrive in my room there was a plug that said internet access which clearly needed a cable which was clearly not in my desk drawer. So I dialed the infamous '0'....to which the operator replied that I need to leave a deposit @ the front desk (which will be returned...and that also happens to be where I receive the cable)...REALLY?? I asked why they didn't give me that information when I JUST asked not 5 mins ago, while downstairs.....
She didn't know and offered to transfer me but I said I was going to have to go down there anyway.......
When I say I am in NO MOOD....I mean I am in NO MOOD......
When I arrived @ the front desk AGAIN I asked the lady....."Remember 5 mins ago when I asked about accessing internet in the room and you said to dial 0??..... Any reason you didn't also inform me that I need to leave a deposit with you AND get a cable from you?"
I'm sorry I am not generally that blatant....but REALLY??? That is literally one of the STUPIDEST things EVER and I was going to let her know how I felt about it....not to mention I am exhausted & jet lagged & just overall irritated & over stressed, etc.....
Her reply was some mangled explanation that I just asked how to access internet.....to which I said...."Now don't you think if I was asking about accessing internet I would be ACTUALLY accessing internet & would need ALL the information about HOW to access??"
Anyway, that is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard of and I am not here long enough nor do I have the energy to fill out comment card.....
I can't believe I mustered up the blog...but it deserved a blog....it really did

Groceries

2010-01-05T19:56:00.002-06:00

Well, b/c I have literally not been in town for more than about 24hrs since Dec. 18th----I haven't been grocery shopping.....but have been adding things to list.....

I just took a gander @ the list and apparently OLIVE OIL was VERY important when I added that....(even though we have a little left).....and I also noticed that after TP (toilet paper) I added AGAIN....as if it was exhausting and not a recurring item to begin with?? LOL

Also I think MANY things are missing from list.....that will be tomorrow......

Insights into my job? & perhaps a year in review??

2010-01-04T05:40:00.004-06:00

Or not.....I am actually opting to not...the last few years have been quite rough & have many downs, financially & otherwise......It's been difficult...
Please, do not get me wrong I have SOO MANY things I AM soo thankful for but -- for reasons that are difficult to explain unless you are a flight attendant would just be a rambling mess of sorted confusing situations, combined w/ (as with everyone, I am sure, a combination of just stuff popping up & throwing you off)......
As a result I have not been the best blogger & I TRULY am sad & sorry about that......I really apologize for not keeping up with the comments nor blogging myself..........
I am not going to dull or burden you with the situations that have come up and things will work out.....but the last few months especially have been more difficult.......
The positive thing is that the VERY last month of the year I did hold a schedule in which I am NOT 'just on call' and I am/was able to have WAY MORE control over my life & work more & KNOW when & where I was going....THAT WAS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!.....
I know you may not understand that but, unfortunately, my life is controlled by my job VERY MUCH & I generally have VERY little control of it myself......that being said I ended the year on a positive note (in that sense)......
Also since I had more control of my schedule I took FULL advantage & worked AS MUCH as possible & the only time I could really fly was from Dec. 19th-Tues (when I get back from this trip).....I am NOT complaining.....GLAD to work & make more $$ but I am/ have been TRULY EXHAUSTED....I went to bed @ 530pm Saturday night
Jeez.....where was I going with this???
I haven't been able to keep up with ANYTHING including just stuff around the house, dr appts, bills, groceries, etc.....
After this trip I have a HUGE list of things that I need to start on taking care of....one of which is blogging.....It's not a New year's resolution just something I want to do, in general.......
More blogs & please I hope you don't leave reading this blog feeling drained or like 'Ugh'......just had to give you the best update I could on about 3wks of jetlag & not enough sleep & just over working, in general (physically)---- plus just can't get stuff done during day like 9-5 jobs .....when I am gone I am GONE & can't catch up on life aside from internet...........
That all being said PLEASE understand that I AM still excited to blog.....and I already have a few on cue to get to...........aside from this lame ass boring 'INTRO' one......
NOne of that may have made sense......sleep deprived for like a month & overstressed in so many directions........
I am happy for EVERYONE's blessings I have been able to catch & read here & there in between work & deliriousness......
I am STILL here & vow to be stronger :)
with LOVE--- DragonFly

Snuggie Sasha

2009-12-14T22:39:00.004-06:00

Well some of you may have been wondering what's been going on @ Casa DragonFly..........well we have a couple of things to share-- FINALLY.......

FIRST: Sasha has a NEW Godmother...who has replaced her former bipolar irresponsible Godmother (another story)...her new Godmother is Colleen & currently resides in San Francisco......
Anyway......Colleen sent Sasha a X-Mas present and it was all the Fuss last week when UPS arrived.....
and once we opened the package there it was:
Snuggie for Dogs.....
Here is Sasha posing in her new Snuggie:

She is messy & not properly groomed in the picture but still proudly wears her 'Snuggie'
but honestly I am not sure what is more funny.....The 'Snuggie' or the box of the Snuggie:

Apparently if dogs were comfortable in the cold AND wearing a 'Snuggie' they would play backgammon & change the channel for us w/ the TV remote..........

More from Casa DragonFly coming soon.........

I Declare Dec. 4th-- Christmas!!

2009-12-04T19:22:00.004-06:00

Well...since I never really am able to celebrate Holidays on the actual day I hereby declare today (December 4th) My Christmas for this year.

Today had a VERY holiday feel to it.....for one thing it SNOWED...which is CRAZY for Houston.....and snow day meant that Mr. DragonFly came home early from work & 'The Queen' came home early from school!! YAY....so we had a family day & celebrated w/ coffee & Frangelico....then later dinner & champagne.

In the mean time we kept ourselves busy nagging & buggin Mr. DragonFly......playing Trivia & watching Wheel of Fortune......

Also.....I kept myself busy watching my new plant a Venus Fly Trap (Perry Farrell).....

I will keep you updated in future blog posts....yes, I will post future blog posts even though I have sucked lately (which I infinitely apologize for --- VERY SORRY)

Anywho....it was such a warm & fuzzy family fun day that I declare today my official day of Christmas......

I had a GREAT time today....it was a definite Christmas present to be able to spend so much time w/ the Queen...especially since she is always so busy!!

God Bless December 4th!! YAY!!!

911 Prompt Dream

2009-10-27T19:04:00.004-05:00

So from time to time I have a dream (actually nightmare) with a reoccurring theme.....the situation changes but the theme of the dream remains.
Basically I am in some kind of trouble....not usually medically, more like a vicious killer is after me or someone is in the house in the middle of the night, etc....
Anyway.....I go to call 911 and I either can't get thru.....the line is busy....or most commonly lately is 911 prompt dream:
In this dream I basically reach a recording which asks me to press a series of buttons to better assist me..... (ie....press 1 if you are being murdered, press 2 if you are being raped, etc.....).....
Point being I am never actually able to reach the operator.....it is sort of terrifying except I usually know it is a dream...
Obviously this is a DIRECT result of what corporations have done to mess w/my head whenever I try to resolve any sort of issue......bank issue, insurance issue, utility issue....whatever....
Maybe I can receive some sort of compensation for 'mental anguish'.......I would call my EAP and try to set up a therapist but that would probably involve a series of prompts, as well....and would only further the damage.
Today's dream was that some guy was in my backyard dressed as the guy from 'Scream' and he had a chainsaw and was chasing around a HUGE beehive being flown around the yard by angry bees. When I tried to dial 911 I received a recorded message asking me to please describe my emergency. When I said "Some guy is in my backyard dressed as the guy from 'Scream' and he has a chainsaw and is chasing around a HUGE beehive being flown around the yard by angry bees" I received the response: "I'm sorry I didn't understand......please describe your emergency. Try using words like: burglary, home invasion, medical, murder, etc...."
Yeah....so basically I think I am scarred for life.....

It Makes Sense in Some Alternate Universe

2009-09-11T21:01:00.004-05:00

Well.....@ Casa DragonFly we have an extra room that mostly serves as alternate guestroom (with airmattress) but mostly serves as storage & aquiring more work out equipment for Mr. DragonFly's ridiculous work out routine.

Here is a picture of the EXTRA room that stores this equipment & would make prefect sense to also be used as a 'work out' room:

And what does Mr. DragonFly do?? He carries each piece of equipment one by one to the bedroom????

Yeah......I'm married to this guy.....sigh

Random Stuff about Today

2009-09-06T17:16:00.002-05:00

I was going to go work out today....but instead I took 2 Dexatrim @ the same time as a Claritin D and this resulted in spending part of the day in the fetal position....so don't do that-- FYI. I also think not eating very much & taking my vitamins contributed to this.
Other than that it's been a pretty uninspiring day.....the highlights being when my plants & animals being ready to harvest on Farmville........this thought led to a momentary bout of depression b/c I realized how insanely lame I was......
But then I turned it around & decided that Farmville is good b/c now I am inspired to go buy real life plants......I am just waiting for Mr. DragonFly to finish cleaning his car....(if you have been following me on FB you would know that I have been waiting a ridiculously long time)....and FYI his car is already clean he just has OCD & has to clean it every week or he can't function or something......
I will update you once we get our new plants.....I am pretty excited....I do feel like I am going to buy babies...especially since plant stores are called nurseries

Writer's Block

2009-09-05T15:43:00.002-05:00

Yes, once again I have been missing from Blog world.....I know this sucks for everyone that LOVES to read my blogs, but it also sucks for me b/c this means that nothing in my world seems bloggable......
Or maybe I just have writer's block, or both.......
Bluck.....Anyway....thinking of you....thinking of blogging....but just haven't come up with anything.....
Ok..I will try to work on this more--- Promise

Getting Fit for REAL DUMMIES

2009-08-17T21:05:00.003-05:00

So Mr. DragonFly is disgustingly into keeping in shape & stuff....Anyway, he bought some kind of thingie that fits over the door to work on Abs....and then today (or yesterday) he bought some strap that goes with it.....

He was showing me the instructions and we BOTH had to laugh about instruction# 4...because REALLY who is THAT stupid??....and who has the instructions in their hand when they need to read instruction# 4???

Underwear Slippers

2009-07-29T13:42:00.004-05:00

Well....if you read my last blog (which is not worth me agonizing over inserting a link here) then you will know I forgot my wallet @ home, on my last trip. In addition to that I also left my deoderant, and I didn't have any socks left in my luggage either. I had a VERY short overnight so it wasn't a HUGE deal except that I pretty much wear socks ALL the time, because my feet are pretty much cold ALL the time.

I tried to go the night w/o anything on my feet but it just wasn't working.....and after several 'in denial' searches through my luggage I decided to focus my energy on being resourceful. How could I keep my feet warm & still walk around?? I eventually ended up making slippers out of CLEAN underwear.

This at least kept my toes warm.....but they really were not ideal, and I knew they would not stay on in bed so I eventually resorted to a pillow case foot mitten--- I'm sorry I don't have pctures of that....I was exhausted and already not going to get enough sleep, by the time I got to pillow case foot mitten I just went to bed.

Also, in regards to solving the deoderant problem--- it stings when you spray perfume under your arms, luckily I only had one flight home.

PS---- I didn't use my beautiful Vicoria's Secret lacey underwear for socks b/c I didn't anticipate sharing this photo with the blog world---well maybe I did, but I didn't use them anyway.

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Few Days

2009-07-28T13:47:00.005-05:00

I'm going to warn you right now--this is long, but TO THE POINT, I assure you...anyway:
I should have known it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad few days when I was the lead flight attendant on my trip and on our way from Honolulu to Los Angeles a lady had a stroke. The good thing was that we had a cardiologist on board and also we were only about an hr from landing. I am not going to get into all the details, b/c that would take way too long. Basically I think she will be ok....she wasn't able to talk but was aware & wanted to be responsive, she just couldn't. The paramedics met the flight and took her to the hospital.
As I am sure you can imagine this type of situation involves a lot of paperwork to be completed @ inopportune times. Getting witness names, addresses, phone #s....medical license #s.....plus patient's information, details of event, etc... mostly you are supposed to be doing this @ the same time you are supposed to be saving their life and before the end of the flight.
Anyway, I still had to fly to Houston after that so I had a different flight attendant work on paper work and then worked on my paper work the next flight.
The next flight was hectic, but no drama just busy.....especially with paperwork situation and no desk.
When I got home I didn't think I could sleep....mostly b/c Mr. DragonFly was doing serial killer style cleaning in the bedroom (and also by the time I was winding down I sort of just decided that I could make it to an early bedtime)---- but ended up staying up until about midnight or so.
The next morning scheduling called me @ 5am to work a domestic flgiht--- AWESOME (NOT Really). It would have been fine if that day didn't involve 3 flights, a trip thru customs, and a 12 and a half hr duty day with a 9hr scheduled overnight.
I definitely knew it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day as soon as scheduling called with that....but.....it was clearly reinforced about once every hour just in case I had any doubts.
First, I couldn't get into the adminstrator profile on my computer b/c I changed the PW to nuhuh001 but apparently came up with some other spelling while sleep deprived.
Then when I got to the employee parking lot I realized my wallet was @ home and I was STARVING. LUCKILY....a pilot also waiting for employee bus had cash & I had my checkbook!! I still had a feeling it was going to be one of those days, though.....
My first flight was to Cancun....everyone was nice, clueless- but nice & seriously I can be pretty happy & patient with just about anyone as long as they are nice. So that was alright....but...
I knew we were in for trouble when (on the way back from Cancun) during the very last part of boarding I was called to a seat in which a passenger was sick....and I mean SICK....like multiple bags of puke sick.....If I had been the lead she would have been pulled off the flight & I have NEVER considered that before, but I just knew this was going to be trouble. It's not as if I would have pulled her off to be mean--it is because if you are really sick the last place you should be is in the middle of a flight. I was right.....she did start to feel a little better before take off but it didn't take long for her to get sick again, and again and again......
We had to call for a physician on board but basically she needed an IV....we can do that on the plane but she was not to the point that we needed to do that YET....
We then received notification that we would be diverting to Austin due to weather....
This complicated the situation b/c we were coming from Mexico and couldn't clear customs in Austin.....paramedics wouldn't be able to meet the flight, etc....
Eventually the Capt. convinced 'whoever' to let US be cleared to Houston and we landed and paramedics met the flight- Day 2, and she was taken to the hospital.
At this point I am Zombie flight attendant and am just hoping I can somehow make it thru the next flight to Baltimore. Sigh.....Ok.......barely and miserably I do......
I got to my hotel room @ 10pm & my wake up call was set for 5am....I defintiely needed a shower, but there were (um...down there hairs) from the last person that used the shower......
Nice...so I switched my hotel room.....OF COURSE.........also had to attempt PW reset again, and again and again on computer with NO success.....
The next morning I awoke to find out that I set my phone alarm, but didn't turn it on....set the alarm clock in the room almost an hr. late and didn't receive a wake up call---but I DID wake up about 10mins early so that crisis was diverted.
On our last flight back to Houston we were just about to start the service when a lady passed out right in between the bathrooms...........
We put her on oxygen, called the pilots and held off service (which included cearl & a banana---for those of you that fly on airlines that don't serve food), but anyway, she did end up being fine....no paramedics today.
Since I finally got home things have been smooth sailing and geek squad fixed my password situation for $30.....but I won't be making up any amiguously spelled words for my password again, especially when I am sleep deprived.
That is the shortest most to the point way I can describe the last few days.....
I DO LOVE my job....and I have missed flying, but I am VERY glad to have some days off at the moment! Sheesh!!!

Know your colors

2009-07-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

Mr. Dragonfly bought us new tongue scrapers today & I was asked not to mix them up & that they were distinctly different colors--- apparently Mr. Dragonfly's is more violet while mine is more on the indigo spectrum....We then we resorted to: ok, mine is on the left yours is on the right.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

My New LOVE for Do-It-Yourself

2009-07-16T22:24:00.009-05:00

Today I decided was 'Home Improvement Day'......

Yesterday while cleaning the bathroom I became VERY aware that the huge frosted glass window was the source of MUCH heat leaking into the bathroom....... In the back of my mind I was thinking we needed some sort of curtainy thing to shield the heat a little, at least......

Also, since we moved into the house our back door window has been covered by an obnoxious aqua teal towel held up by nails......FANCY

So, I don't know--- today I decided was the day all that was going to change.....

I went to Target and bought suitable curtain stuff.......none of it was the right size, but figured I could work with it.

Yay......I pulled out my electric drill, and tool kit ASAP when I got home

By the way 1st time putting curtains up by myself.......Things started simply enough.......and believe me this could be a long story, but I will mostly use pictures----

Ok......well along the way I learned MANY things

check for studs and figure out if you need the plastic things, that go before the screw, first
Also......don't try to drill through Steel, your drill bit will break......also along those lines, make sure you use right drill bit to drill initial hole for screw and plastic thingie (if needed)
Home Improvement takes DETERMINATION and strength!!!!
Be Ready to make AT LEAST another trip to Home Depot and be specific when you ask questions......if you find yourself in this situation let me know......I have found out the questions that need to be asked
Expect for the Home Improvement situation to try to kill you.....but simple DETERMINATION will block this....TRUST ME

There are MANY MANY other things I learned, like which equipment to keep closer.....also a tool belt might be helpful instead of a cooking apron.........

Final Result:

It may not look like much, but it is MUCH better than the towel (and TRUST ME on the satisfaction of doing it ALL BY MYSELF---not like the song, though), but was I finished?? NO.......

I took on the bathroom.....and Mr. DragonFly was just a couple hrs away so I had to perform this job like a PRO.....which I did NOT, but it still works and was completed (??? Not really---- Need other half of curtain(s) so just one hanging long sheet @ the moment.......also I will come up with a SUPER AWESOME decorative way to handle the length issue)

Not SOO Permanent

2009-07-15T19:14:00.003-05:00

So yeah......Sharpie claiming to be 'SUPER PERMANENT' ended up not being so permanent after all.......

Immediately I noticed a flaw in my experiment by using my wrist as test area, which rests against my laptop keyboard

No other test sites, so really.....it could be more permanent in other locations

FYI---- I took a shower last night & I wash my hands all the time......

I didn't check on 'Sharpie tattoo' until this morning, but this is what it looked like

Not just 'PERMANENT'

2009-07-14T20:06:00.004-05:00

Yes.....today I noticed that my Sharpie described itself not just as 'PERMANENT' but as 'SUPER PERMANENT'........

I have decided to see just how 'SUPER PERMANENT' it actually is....and have drawn a star tattoo to help gage the Permanency.....

I will keep you posted.....

Left Overs or 'To Go' Item??

2009-07-01T16:26:00.003-05:00

Let me ask you....Does that look like left overs or something you just ordered 'To Go' from a restaurant??

Answer: something I JUST ordered 'To Go' and the dressing was wrong, too......luckily it was paid for w/ the Chili's $$$ I received last time they screwed up my order royally and didn't realize until I had arrived home & I had to drive all the way back---it was that bad.

These 2 incidents resulted in 'angry customer' e-mail....yes, I am related to Queen B

Jury Duty

2009-06-30T12:41:00.005-05:00

Well....yesterday I had Jury Duty..UGH! I am sure MOST of you are familiar with this process, but I will enlighten those of you that are not....and from what I can see it varies from each district anyway, b/c I also had it while living in NYC.
For the most part I can't REALLY complain....I was in the afternoon group which didn't start until 1215pm.....YAY!!! I am always nervous about heading downtown and parking & finding where I am supposed to be, so I left early. The process of getting downtown went very well....no traffic & no getting lost....parking was easy.......and I even found where I was supposed to be quickly. That gave me extra time in the assembly room, which was not cool, but that is when I was SUPER happy I had my BB!! :)
Finally they started to make announcements and explain things to us and ALSO our district clerk came down personally to give us a 'pep talk' and tried to make us visualize our day more as 'jury service' instead of 'jury DUTY'. This did not work, but he was a really good speaker and was nice and stuff. He also informed us that NEXT week the room would be equipped with WiFi, which was good---- but I thoroughly scoured the room and found no outlets for a computer. Also by the end of 2010 we will have a new fancy room, set up to make the process run more efficiently (I hope the chairs are more comfortable, too).
They called the first 2 groups of jurors and my juror # was only 70 away from the last group they called so I KNEW I was going to be called next.....at least an hour went by and they had not called another group.....and eventually told us we were going to be dismissed but to go pay our parking first. You see you do this inside the building before you get to the garage.
The parking situation is what I mostly have a problem with.....it was easy to park....even though I forgot to look @ which level I parked on.....Doh!! (but was thinking 12) Anyway, you have to pay $5.50 to park and you get paid $6.00 for jury duty!!!! What??!! Well in better news I lost my parking ticket......I looked through my purse a million xs and finally had to give up.
So I went to stand in line to pay my parking and noticed the pricing sign.....if you lost your ticket you paid $8.25...GREAT so NOW I am paying THEM for jury duty.....
There was a pretty long line to pay for parking and when I got to the cashier I told her I lost my ticket and she asked me if I was leaving right then.....I said I thought so...They said they were dismissing us but to go pay for parking first. Then she explained that if you lost your ticket they have to issue you a new one & it is only valid for 20mins. Aaahhhh!!!
Ok....so back to the assembly room for 'official release'....
After being 'Officially Released' like 5 mins later I went up to the desk to get my work release slip and got back into the even longer line to pay for parking. I spent probably 15mins in line, but it wasn't the worst thing ever...at least it was moving.
Once I was issued my 'replacement parking ticket' I was on the move....It is a lot of pressure to find your car, get situated, drive down multi levels of parking garage......wait behind other cars to get to the automatic ticket grabber thingie.......all within 20 mins!!
Even though everyone was going up the elevators RIGHT next to the ticket cashier, I just knew I had been outside @ one point to get to the building. So I by passed the 'obvious' elevators and meandered back the way I had come.......but apparently that was wrong....so I went back to the 'obvious' elevators and prayed they were correct AND that I did in fact park on level 12. That worked out REALLY well.....my car was right there and I escaped the garage within my 20 mins time frame!!
By the way......later that night I found my parking ticket in my pocket...NOT my purse!!

Escaping Reality w/ The Royal Family

2009-06-27T20:47:00.004-05:00

Tuesday I left to visit Queen B and family!!! :)

Sasha & I had a quite pleasant drive to McKinney, TX.....one of us more than the other:

The King was eagerly awaiting our arrival and before I knew it the car was unloaded and we were already settled in!! The King was VERY accommodating and we excitedly chatted while waiting for The Queen to arrive from work......

Once The Queen arrived dinner preparations began.....during this time The Queen & I had wine and caught up, in person......

Also during this time....Sasha was excitedly trying to mingle with her cousins and through out the visit that proved to be both fun, and noisy @ times. Every morning while I was still sleeping, when Sasha heard her cousins downstairs this started a jumping up & down on Mom situation.....Mom still remained asleep until reasonable hour, however......

It was all very exciting!!!! If you have not already seen The Royal Family's home it really is something!! Beautiful, open spaces, gorgeous colors & decorations, oodles of comfort and love!!!

Also......Wii!!!! Yes, I know most people have this already, but I do NOT....and very much LOVE the Wii....ESPECIALLY Wii Tennis which I VERY QUICKLY learned they had!!!! :) :)

I had only played Wii Tennis once before, but decided to battle The King determined I could win.....I did not, but I did have LOTS of fun!!!!

The next day I was able to have lunch with EVERYONE!!!!!! I had lunch with my Aunt, Uncle, The King & Queen, David, Christine & Faith (Queen's brother, sister-in-law & niece----Oh, and obviously my cousin, cousin-in-law, and 2nd cousin???)!! YAY!!! VERY, VERY EXCITING AND RARE!!! So that was, of course, a real treat!!! Um....am now wondering why the hell I do not have a picture of this.......

That night The King cooked us a DELICIOUS dinner AGAIN......and we all spent time together & watched TV.....as each day passed so did OTHER people's interest in the Wii......so I was shown how to turn it on & off and once The Royal Family retired for the evening. That night I played Tennis until around 3am.......and would have played longer except that I was meeting my Aunt for lunch and really felt I should get some rest and not be lethargic due to playing Wii ALL night.

I had SUCH a WONDERFUL time I didn't want it to end, so I ended up staying an extra night and only came home today!!! I wish I could have stayed longer....but the Queen had to work & I had to sit around my own house wondering if I would be called for work.

It was truly a magnificent stay & I was most certainly given 'The Royal Treatment' the ENTIRE time I was there!!!

It meant the world to me to be able to visit, see everyone and have such a lovely time!! I hope I can again very soon!!!

Bread & Overhead Bins...not made for each other

2009-06-15T15:11:00.003-05:00

I know....I know---- I have been ABSENT.....SUPER, SUPER SORRY!! Trust me.....it is not b/c I haven't been thinking about you or b/c I haven't wanted to blog. Lord KNOWS I have & have tried, but anyway......that is another blog-------

And NO I don't just have to blog about work...or when I am working, but just to get me going I am going to blog a real quick......

This morning on my flight back to Houston I was walking through the aisle checking all the overhead bin space, etc... and I noticed a bag that had 2 loafs of Orowheat Bread in it.......?????

2 Things...

Why?? Where are you going that you need 2 loafs of a specific bread??
Overheads are NO place for loaves of bread....unless you like squished bread....
also, not good for eggs?? or most groceries?

Ok.....so that is my first post from the chains of heinous writer's block..........

MISSED YOU!! :)

BlackBerry owners must have

2009-05-13T21:12:00.006-05:00

Ok....well Joe & I both just noticed a new icon on our phones after we got back from Argentina....."BlackBerry App World"-------------- OMG!!! SO FUN!!!

So, Queen B and Secret Eeyore did not have icon and I researched and found link

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/appworld/download.jsp

So..........Anyway, it has lots of cool apps for your BB!! Games, and JUST ALL SORTS OF STUFF

I downloaded Pacman today..........but it is not in normal list I got the link from a friend

http://www.jamlent.com/2009/05/pacman/

Well, I hope you guys enjoy this if you aren't already.........

Buenos Aries: Part 1

2009-05-13T20:55:00.003-05:00

I haven't been blogging much lately SORRY....I did just go on vacation so I suppose I could blog about that............

First I could tell you about the day in which I awoke SUPER excited to walk all the streets of Buenos Aries and see at least 2 new neighborhoods...........Sure on the map it wasn't far at all.....a bit of a walk, but we need the exercise and who knows what we might find along the way???

Answer: Nothing.......sort of

I walked us through our usual touristy parts and into the "1st new neighborhood" San Telmo..........Judging by the big Tango Dancers in the center of the map (of San Telmo) I routed us down specific streets. This was not so fun.......we passed people checking their mail......kids being dropped off for school and NO Cafes....the ones we did see were dark & seemed very local & not fun.......Finally we stopped @ 1 cafe with outdoor seating and regrouped......and I said after that we would walk up to "La Boca".....again a bit of a walk, but we could do it!!! Then Joe shows me in the book that it specifically says to NOT walk thru La Boca and go straight to the tourist part (El Camiento???) and to NOT stray from the riverside.......I was like....."Oh, No Worries....I see a path along the riverside we can walk---totally safe" After convincing Joe of this "safe path" I lead him on our new journey and around the corner we found a GREAT plaza with some Tango and lots of outdoor cafes and street vendors with cute stuff to buy......We needed cash

I am not going to go into this journey.......basically we asked about 20 people and NO ONE knew where to get cash except after walking for circles about 10blocks I was able to get a street cleaner to tell us......when we found the cash machine it was out of cash...AWESOME.....

There was a Police Woman across the street that told us of another cash machine.......so we did in fact get cash and headed back to our 'happy place'-- The Plaza (with cafe, wine, Tango, characteur (sp?) drawers and street vendors)..........after the hunt for cash we were over more exploration.......so we headed back to hotel & went to dinner.........and saved La Boca for the next day......

Good thing b/c when I FBed about San Telmo and La Boca......my friend (from their said we were supposed to go to San Telmo on weekends...we went on Monday...didn't know---- & she also said to not walk to La Boca).......

We decided our ATM fiasco saved our lives or something.............

Ok...more to come....don't want to overload you

insanity

2009-05-11T18:55:00.001-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Yiska's Play Center

2009-04-30T18:09:00.000-05:00

Yiska has a new 'Activity Center'. He really doesn't like it. He hisses & flies away when I try to put him on it. Once I get him on it. He just sits there. Sometimes he flies/ jumps off :(
How can he not like it?! It looks fun to me!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Scott's Lawn!! You Know You Want Us!!

2009-04-17T22:52:00.005-05:00

Ok...well the other day I am came in from a ridiculously LONG night.......red eye flight from Honolulu to LA, then right after that another flight LA to Houston.....
When I arrived home I swiftly threw off my shoes and donned the slippers (still in uniform)......... I heated up my taco for lunch and then checked on my bird feeders.....while looking out the window I happened to notice the following:

I had to treck across the lawn, in my slippers, with panty hose and flight attendant uniform in order to investigate------

What I noticed was the little stick with an attachments that looked like a ship sail.........I have NO idea what this is....and frankly for a second I was a bit concerned....perhaps it was a secret message from who knows......a stalker, a neighbor, or........

Scott's Lawn advertisement!!!!.....

At this I had to wonder if Scott's Lawn was in FACT DEMANDED to put this on EVERY lawn they serviced and imagined that the Scott's lawn guy that serviced our lawn was a bit hesitant and possibly looking around to see if anyone was watching to see if he would actually claim responsibility for our lawn......

Now.......it has only been one treatment and we HAVE noticed an improvement but MUCH still NEEDS to be done........

As You can see from the following photo (and patches of dead grass).......If I was Scott's Lawn I think I would wait a few treatments to post the ship sail note to my neighbors....or maybe the notes get bigger???

AD M.I.A

2009-04-16T15:28:00.002-05:00

Just dropping in.....sorry I have been MIA......I haven't even really been checking blog site.....
I have actually been BUSY!! :O!!! I know......
Well.....unfortunately when I work I can't be by the computer, as much, and I have either been working, or sick......or today I am cleaning and sick.....
not too sick....not dying sick.....I'll be ok, just a cold.....
Anyway, hopefully tomorrow will be less hectic and I will feel much better!
Just wanted to drop in and say Hi!!! and tell you where I have been!!
Hope everyone is doing well!!!!!!!! :)

Where's The Ball???

2009-04-04T22:41:00.008-05:00

Here's the "Story of the Ball"----- according to Mr. DragonFly
First my story

Sasha happily brings me the "Super High Bounding" ball

I throw the ball a couple of times watch (and listen) to it ricochet against floor & wall a few times while she jumps up & down before 'catching' it
She brings it back......we are both happy and having fun....and it is thrown again
I ask "Where's The Ball"maybe we repeat step 2 but most times we move on to Joe's rendition of this event

Joe's "Story of 'The Ball'"

Sasha finds ball after ball has gone on 2 wk hiatus
YAY!! We are both happy and giddy
Sasha brings back ball maybe twice and then----
approximately 2 wks later Joe finds 'the ball' while cleaning

This is only half true........First off I CLEAN I just don't clean under stuff as much as Joe.....and also sometimes when Sasha seems bored with other toys I personally go on a search for 'The Ball' eliminating the 2 wk. waiting period

Avoiding CSI

2009-03-31T17:27:00.003-05:00

I know I watch too watch CSI, Criminal Minds, Forensic Files, etc... b/c of all the little clever things I do to ward off potential serial killers, or rapers, or whatever..... In NYC I used to switch the train I was getting on @ the last minute.....then sometimes when I got off I would pretend I 'accidentally' got off @ the wrong stop & turn around to deter 'bad guys'.
I always set my phone to dial on silent so if I think there is a bad guy in the house I can dial 911 without them hearing.
I open the doors with great force to squash any bad guys lurking behind the door......
There are a few more moves but I won't continue to bore you.....
And by the way I am NOT paranoid...I'm not!! I do all kinds of stupid, thoughtless things to put myself @ risk.....I am not going to get into them all.
Anyway....my new latest way to not end up on CSI involves people ringing the doorbell. This is mostly a day time thought b/c my main concern with not answering the door is that I will miss an important package that has to be signed for, and well.....we all know that involves a lengthy process before you are united with 'said' package.
My door has windows that go all the way from the floor to the top of the door on both sides....and I have come to notice, does not have a peep hole......so basically there is not much room for hiding and observing the element of danger involved with the stranger @ the door.
Today I came up with a dialogue to help eliminate any issues that I might have with ending up on CSI......mostly this only pertains to package delivery people b/c I don't care about anyone else unless I am expecting them.
Door Bell rings
enter me stage left peeping out of the many windows to see package delivery guy, but how do I know he is really a package delivery guy.....maybe he used to be, and was fired and now goes around raping & killing people in his old uniform.......or maybe he raped and killed a real package delivery guy and is wearing his uniform.
So then I would look for the truck......this I feel gives the situation some validity, even though he could have stolen the truck too
The dialogue would go as follows
Me: Yes, who is it??
Stranger: 'package delivery service'guy
Me: I don't see your truck
Stranger: It's down the street I had another package to deliver on the same block
Me: What was the address??
Stranger: Can't remember??
Me: Who is my package from??
Stranger: if he does not tell me someone or a company I recognize then we proceed to:
Me: I'm not home and we have an alarm
Stanger walks off and looks for new victim.......and I come to the computer and blog about how I am still alive

Yes, I actually run through random scenarios, such as this, in my head........And who knows how many times it may have saved my life??? Or just entertained myself??

Narita, Japan

2009-03-30T05:50:00.003-05:00

Japan---That is where I am right now....generally I like this trip. It is VERY, VERY senior so I have only done it twice before and both times I was working first class.......BIG DIFFERENCE- HUGE.....
Yes, in First Class things are 'generally' (and I use that term loosely, as in any case there can be crew member differences & conflict- not to mention if meals get screwed up somehow).
Anyway.....so yes, Saturday, I picked up this trip to Tokyo (Narita)......it checks in early (93oam---aaaaaaahh! You know how I feel about mornings) anyway....because it checks in so early no one could take the trip from me (other more senior flight attendants)-----ah ah ah ah!! So I figured this would be a good way to get some per diem and relax and have scheduling leave me alone and not give me Airport Alert or some domestic crap. I recognized some names on the trip and determined that even if other people were evil I would have back up.....also my position was a pretty easy one, so I picked up the trip.
Went to to bed @ 1am and woke up @ 5am tossed until 7am (wake up call)........By the time I got to the plane I was already ready for my break......Lucky (sarcasm noted there) for me so were all the 'Senior' people and it goes in seniority order. Whatever.....boarding was fine except the part where they decided that we had too much weight in the front of the plane so we had to take all 'pass riders--- employees, family members, what have you' off......then they changed their mind and decided to move 5,000lbs of freight to the back cargo compartment to compensate----so everyone back on. Then we taxied out and then had a maintenance issue and taxied back to gate. Oh boy.....well on this trip you do not have many hrs to play with.....we can only be on duty for a certain amount of time......Internationally 18hrs. TRUST ME----They ALWAYS find a way to fix this problem (it may be within at least 5 mins of this time period). So we go within 30 mins of 'being illegal' to fly the trip.
We hadn't even taken off yet and I am literally struggling to keep my eyes open (not a morning person, you see---- My body is in shock, as it is).
Alright so we are totally full 250?? passengers in the back and apparently 2 of the flight attendants that happen to be working the same cart on the same side of the aircraft are handicapped---(not really......one is just slow and wants to know EVERY passenger's life story and give them 5 drinks before moving on to the next row) the other has just been flying for 45 yrs and doesn't feel like moving fast anymore. Whatever?? Luckily?? I am in the galley working galley "assist".
I think we all got along pretty well but also pretty much didn't at the same time (from what I hear after break & on decent from my 'jumpseat buddy' who worked up in First......it was up & down, and I believe a lot of talking behind each other's back was going on.
The galley was a mess the whole time which makes me crazy but on this Tokyo trip I don't know where anything goes they have us so loaded with crap....there is even stuff behind stuff, plus I was too tired to care.
After the service breaks started. GREAT......only another 3hrs and 45mins until I get to do a mid flight service (cheeseburgers & ice cream) and then FINALLY take my break. (So approximately 4hrs45mins until break time---- I am JUST really tired, its not that I don't mind working, I just need SLEEP)
I have no idea how the hell I stayed awake......I walked around and did all the puzzles in USA Today, surprisingly well............Forgot my book, but I was too tired to read it anyway.
When I got up from break the aircraft was out of 'potable water' the water you use to wash your hands and helps flush the toilet. YAY (sarcasm-- again)......Well, that meant no coffee, Green T, or English T for breakfast. I wasn't working the beverage cart but I am guessing that was SUPER fun to tell everyone.
I know I sound like I am complaining...I'm really not.....It was just one of those flights---- I have for SURE had worse....and WILL most definitely, in the future.
I especially liked the part about how @ the crew briefing everyone loved each other and was best friends, but by the time the first service started it was like a Family Holiday?? I love you to your face, now go away.....LOL
I love the dynamics of flight attendants and we do and don't get along....and sometimes it's passive/aggressive and sometimes people just have it out and scream @ each other (this was passive aggressive flight).
This is my 'office dynamics' and it cracks me up......I seriously just have to laugh......our job is way too easy for all that, but when people are slow or lazy then yeah I get irritated too.....
I need sleep......I hope this even made sense.
I am trying to blog more and this was my flight/ day/ night/ last 26hrs

Chicken & Egg Pizza, anyone??

2009-03-26T20:09:00.002-05:00

Nothing too bloggable going on in my life....I don't know how long the dry spell can possibly last but I did have an interesting dream.
I dreamt that I opened a take out only pizza place. It was called 'The Chicken and The Egg'.....and you could only order chicken and/ or egg (anyway you wanted...ie, scambled, over easy, etc...) on your pizza (well, cheese and pizza sauce came standard).
Surprisingly it was pretty good.....who knew egg would be good on a pizza. The other interesting tid bit about my pizza place was we only served Caprisun as a beverage and you had to order a Caprisun card for $55 and you could have unlimited refills for the month.
Everything went over very well with the customers and we became quite a successful business....perhaps it was the originiality that was so appealing???
I don't know

HCBC Husband Manicure Challenge

2009-03-22T22:35:00.003-05:00

HA HA!! Well I don't know what the rest of you are doing but KFuj and I have been busy convincing our husbands to paint their nails to see if they can do a better job than Secret Eeeyore----- http://secreteeyore.blogspot.com/search/label/Beauty

For All the Crafty People (re post from KFuj)

2009-03-22T19:04:00.000-05:00

Making handcrafted items is a dying art, but they are so fun to make & get! So, here's a little game to encourage the handcrafting to live & thrive!! The first {5} people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a super-duper handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up (or copy & paste as I did!) a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first FIVE comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! But I will try my best to make sure you like it 2. It will be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.) 3. You will have no clue what it is going to be.

Great Blogger to Check Out

2009-03-19T09:30:00.012-05:00

Ok...well after countless hours of trying to figure out how to get back to the old, pleasant way of just highlighting a blog or post's title and being able to paste it into my post for easy reference, I at LEAST found a ridiculously LONG and tedious way of doing it---- Or I think I have.....if it works in this post

BTW.....still not really working well.....any text I type after code is included in highlihgted format, as well, so have to figure that out--- and until then complete entire blog before I add link. jeez
ANYWAY---- Hope this works
Check Out: Margarita On The Rocks Lots of Salt

She's HILARIOUS and WITTY and I HIGHLY recommend her!! :)

S.O.S.

2009-03-15T20:00:00.001-05:00

WTF???! major issues with copying and pasting......like when you just copy the title of someone's blog, or post, and paste it into your post and it just highlights in blue......
I can't even paste it....this use to be easy and now I can't do it AT ALL.......WTF???!!!
I need help!!!!

Princess Parking--- My Ass

2009-03-15T12:31:00.003-05:00

This was actually written August of 2005, but I just saw a friend of mine- here @ the airport, (a fellow blogger see Margarita on The Rocks...) I would post a link but for some reason having MAJOR issues with copying & pasting??? HELP!!!
Anyway, she was discussing having to find her car after coming in from her flight. She is not a flight attendant but she did get to see the flight attendant 'lair'...lol
ANYWAY--- here is old blog brought back to life:

Usually flight attendants park in the employee lot and have to ride a seperate bus to the airport terminal. Sometimes the flight attendant will just park right at the terminal and skip the whole bus ride....from what I hear this is called "Princess Parking" and it is supposed to be quicker and easier.
The other day I decided that I would try it because I had heard it was only $5....well that is the first myth about "Princess Parking" It is really a minimum of $13. The next myth is that it is quicker and easier.
When I first parked I thought I was doing so good b/c I made note I was @ terminal E and level 4 Row A5. Surely this is the only information that i need....that's alot of information. Oh I had much to learn about parking @ an airport parking garage and later that evening I would receive a crash course.
While I was getting out of my car heading toward the terminal I passed several things that I mistakingly took for scenary....like postcards with different destinations and messages.....like coloring on the concrete beams....and which direction I went from the car.
Later that night I innnocently and happily returned to the garage to drive home (an hour late b/c of stupid weather) Anyway....I thought I was doing so good I was on level 4 yet I found the concrete beams to only be labled letters.....with no #s afterward. I knew I was @ A5 but I went up and down row A anyway hoping that they renamed the row after I had parked earlier....the elevator near there looked mildly familiar. Finally I gave up and asked an attendant in a truck if there was still an A5 parking area on level 4......he told me that I had to turn around go the other way and cross the bridge to the other lot. Ok.....well at least he knew of the A5 and it did still exist. Ok....my journey began and as I crossed the bridge I saw letters with #s on the pillars...I was so very excited....I could see A5 in the distance "The Promise Land" but when I arrived @ A5 there was still no car.....and come to think of it the colors didn't seem familiar either but I was temporarily in denial and decided to go in circles for awhile hoping the next lap would bring visions of my car. Finally I gave up and crossed back over the parking lot back over the bridge to my original search site trying to retrace my steps to the terminal.....I started to think that I remembered my A5 in white and the A5 I had just left was yellow. Why would they put so many A5s they would need different colors and why wouldn't they be next to each other. And really they should think about making little maps like when you go to the zoo. Ok....by this time my uniform (conviently made out of polyester for a total lack of breathing) is clinging to my body...so much so that it no longer even hangs straight.....I am also searching my purse for kleenex to wipe the dripping sweat off of my face. I am thinkg at the very least they could have people with gatorade and words of encouragment along the way.

I go back to the parking lot with only letters and decide to just continue back to the airport terminal. When finally I reach the end of that lot I see letters with #s and they are white.....Oh My God I could not beleive it!! At that point I am just excited to have maybe found my car but am also considering how close I was when the jack ass in the truck turned me around on a journey through parking lots and bridges.
By the time I reached my car it was 45 mins after the whole adventure began and I looked as though I had walked myslef through a carwash.....My hair was in a state of diasray, my ponytail was now lopsided and loose....make up was running down my face and I was still having issues with the clingy uniform....but at least i found the fucking car.
Let me tell you something...there is a lot to remember when you park your car @ an airport parking garage so pay attention. Its like a test to grade your intelligence....they don't tell you what's important but the more you remember the smarter you are.

Professional......"????"

2009-03-09T19:12:00.003-05:00

Last month I worked 4 trips.....ONLY 4!!! That's it!! Luckily I am paid a guarantee each month, but I still need per diem--
Anyway, my last trip ended on February 25th and since then I have become a professional "???" facebooker, house wife, cleaner, errand girl.......??? I am not sure.....
Normally I would be FREAKED out by this....and no, I am not exactly happy because I do need to work!! However, since there is nothing I can do about it, really, I have sort of begun to embrace it. It is sort of nice that we are over staffed and I can trade to get any day off and be here while Queen B is here and also go see my friends outside Austin.....and of course see some of my friends that live around here, too.
Before EVERYTHING was about being able to pick up a trip, or being able to be assigned a trip.....now that I have lost some of that hope I am focusing on other things.....
Maybe they are not important things (ie...facebook, bothering people that actually work with BBing) but some are....cleaning more, grocery shopping more, cooking more............
Just today I noticed that on both sides of my house my neighbors yards are overgrown and have weeds......These are the things you might miss if you were too busy working or being productive in some way.
Sure, it sounds great and like I said I AM sort of getting used to it, but I am pretty sure that this can only go on for the remaining part of the week before I become totally insane.
I have vowed to use this time to start up my working out and I even did that today...and one day last week.
I am also taking on some stay @ home mommy responsibilities.....my shih tsu, Sasha, is confused by her new potty papers and so we are working on potty training, again--- however tonight she is staying in the kitchen and I am guessing by tomorrow this will all be making sense to her again--- considering she is almost 4.
You would think that with all this NOT working I would have more time to blog...and I do, but it seems there has been less to blog about.......or perhaps all this NOT working has left me with a lack of motivation and/or inspiration........

Home Improving

2009-03-05T19:18:00.007-06:00

Oh sure I am only changing a light bulb but still.......It is an outside light bulb if that makes any difference.....it felt like a Joe job, but I felt I would feel a form of satisfaction if I did it myself.

It began simple enough.....I took the cover surrounding the light bulb off.....this didn't even require the screw driver i summoned for the job--- Easy

However after the cover was removed The light bulb was sort of hanging out of the socket--- didn't get a picture, didn't think about blogging until later (You know I have been feeling unbloggable (is that a word) lately)

Anyway, so light bulb part I took off but screw part remained in the socket.

I don't know if you can tell but using a potato would not have worked....I have never tried using a potato, actually I have never been in this situation but had heard about using a potato in this situation.

I was pretty determined to fix this.........at first I thought of tweezers but that was no good.....then I remembered needle nose pliers....So went to tool kit AGAIN for the pliers.......

This was a successful tool

YAY!! Now all I need is a light bulb......I thought we had some....KNEW we had some, but Joe LOVES to move things around to drive me crazy so I looked everywhere and then BBed him to find location....blah, blah.....

Ok Now I have the light bulb......

YAY!! Success and without electrocuting myself........

One small problem cover Does not fit around new light bulb, but at least I don't have to grill in the dark, or with a flashlight anymore

yiska travels

2009-02-27T14:19:00.001-06:00

Yiska went to have his wings & nails trimmed today. He loves car rides--- not really.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Another Co-Pay Down The Drain, but I guess it was a good thing

2009-02-25T19:59:00.007-06:00

Well, starting yesterday just after my crew rest (around 3pm) I started having some strange syndromes....basically I felt fine but I was having tingly sensations through out my body that somewhat felt like short circuiting. I was, of course, tired and stuff but that is normal.....anyway, last night I went to bed around midnight and then slept until around 11-1130am today. I know that sounds like a lot----but:
Ok....so moving on with the day I start some projects on my list to do. I am capable of these tasks but still having weird feeling and tiny dizzy spells. Because I have not felt this before I call my mom (who basically grew up in hospitals and worked with doctors forever----- The Queen B and My Grandfather was a surgeon).....I explain the best I can my symptoms and she wants me to see the doctor. I have called my mom feeling like I am dying after food poisoning saying I am thinking of going to the hospital & she has told me to get up and go get Gatorade I am fine. With that said---If mom says go to the doctor I GO to the doctor.
I jump in the shower real quick b/c I have to wash my hair and I could not reach the receptionist anyway I had to leave a VM for them to call me back.
Ok.....I am hauling ass to get dressed and could not find anything appropriate...I hate going to to the doctor looking like crap----- I don't know why but it is a real issue for me. Anyway, I tried on a few outfits and either they were too dressy or just to casual. Whatever.......I moved on to hair....during blow drying my hair the dryer blows......GREAT......as some of you may know I JUST cut my hair REAL short!! REAL short and I have naturally curly hair.......so my look for the doctor's office is a cut off brown skirt, messy curly wet hair and glasses.
When I spoke to the receptionist she also said she wanted me to come in right away. Now I am wondering if I should pack an overnight bag....with at least my flat iron in case I have to be admitted and have visitors later.......do I need jammies? or will I just wear that gown if I have to stay over night?.......should I bring a book?? I also started to wonder if I would not be able to see Sasha?? Don't doctor's Rx 'comfort animals'?? Are they allowed in the hospital??
Because I couldn't get my shit together and I also felt it would be strange to arrive @ the doctor's office with a backpack, in addition to my ridiculous look, I decided against the over night bag.......I could just get Joe to bring stuff later. I did bring my BB charger though.
Well.......the doctor couldn't find anything wrong with me. I mean my symptoms were pretty difficult to explain.......everything else was fine.....no fever, BP normal, etc..... he did some blood work---I'll get back to you if something turns up
Basically b/c I had all sorts of family in town and then been 'on call' for work and got about 9 hrs of sleep b/t Sun @ 9am until midnight last night, he said I was probably suffering from exhaustion and perhaps an elevated level of anxiety and maybe low blood sugar.
I took a little nap right before this blog and am feeling a little/lot better, no need to worry, I just NEED to blog and this is the most recent situation to blog.

Mr. DragonFly

2009-02-15T23:14:00.003-06:00

He’s sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen? SPORTS

You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Vinagrette

What is one food he doesn’t like? pork, red meat and avocados, sour cream, etc..... etc...picky

You go out to the bar. What does he order? Stella beer

Where did he go to high school? Martin High School

What size shoe does he wear? 9

If he was to collect anything, what would it be? MUSIC (ditto!!! :)!!!)

What is his favorite type of sandwich? Whole Foods Chicken, Spinach, tomoato, sprouts with red pepper hummus on whole wheat

What would the Husband eat every day if he could? "The Sandwich"

What is his favorite cereal? Kashi Almond Flax

What would he never wear? a thong--- from his mouth that was the answer

What is his favorite sports team? Astros

Who is his best friend? besides Me, Cliff--- very good guy--- I approve and think he is an awesome friend

What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do? have a bird as a pet (they are messy---- Mr. DragonFly is OCD)

How many states has he lived in? 2, but was stationed in Korea for 2 yrs

What is his heritage? Mexican Indian

You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind? he would prefer chocolate chip cookies

Did he play sports in high school? track & cross country

What could he spend hours doing? listening to his music or watching favorite teams

Wal-Mart's Version of Organization

2009-02-15T20:02:00.004-06:00

Thank You Wal-Mart for making everything on my list easy to find:

chicken
bread
liquid hand soap
Mr. Clean dishwashing gloves
and of course that reindeer figurine I haven't been able to find ANYWHERE

The Year of The Puzzle: Part Finale

2009-02-06T21:36:00.004-06:00

Yes.....Finally, no more puzzle talk.....I finally finished the puzzle due to being out of work, on injury, and assistance from the Queen B............
It has been nearing completion this week but FINALLY tonight with the assistance of my friend, Rebecca, and OF COURSE the Queen B 'The Puzzle' is COMPLETE!!!!
YAY!!! VERY EXCITING!! I will miss this particular puzzle but will be purchasing a new one soon to feed my new addiction!! Don't worry I won't blog every day about it or anything............

YAY!! SMILES!! :)

OMG!!!

2009-02-05T01:25:00.003-06:00

Well I don't know too much of this blogging site and have stumbled through many things but just found this.
My Friends Award

Warm Fuzzys even though I have no idea what the hell but still VERY COOL!!!!!
I feel honored!! :)

Andy Warhol Bag

2009-02-03T23:41:00.003-06:00

Per requests of for images of the Andy Warhol bag....perfect for saving bags @ grocery store & just all around making me look cool...I have decided to post this blog to show the bag

In my last blog I mentioned this magnificent bag but did not have it with me so could not take pictures but here is one for you

I LOVE IT!!!!! :)

Layover Hibernation

2009-02-02T13:25:00.006-06:00

Well....I am in Paris...I do LOVE Paris but when it is COLD (20-30's) AND Rainy/ Snowy I go into hibernation mode on my layovers. I am only here for 24 hrs........I haven't slept the whole night before so I save my energy & money for pretty days---- or a crew that is REALLY convincing.

One thing I keep saying to myself EVERY TIME I come here......all 3 xs since I have been based in Houston (which is 4.5 yrs) is that I am going to brush up on my French. I took French in HS and minored in it in college......Um....yeah left college in '96 and French is not spoken so widely in the U.S. so, of course, relearning BIG TIME.

In Europe @ the gorcery stores, at least ALL the ones I have been too......EVERYONE brings their own bags....if you do NOT have a bag you have to buy one....they're not expensive but I forgot mine---- AND on that note I have the MOST AWESOME Andy Warhol bag PERFECT for groceries......If I had it with me I would take a picture but I do not (will when I get home)........

Ok.....so I am in line @ the grocery and I realize AAAhhhh NO bag!!! Ok.....I try to use as much French as possible which genereally gets me into trouble, because then they think either: A. I am French, or B. I DO speak French.......

I was rehearsing in my head before it was time for me to check out.........Aaaahhhh MY TURN......

Ok......

my line: Je n'ais pas un sac (I do not have a bag)

cashier: act on bluh bluh bluh bluh......un sac

me: (thinking maybe I can just carry this)--- c'est bon (sure...fine) (my standard answer to just about everything after I have no idea what they just said)

cashier: lifts sac

Me: oui (yes)

Actually this is a pretty nice bag...sturdy, etc....better than the ones I get in Amsterdam...I will add it to my Andy Warhol bag for shopping in the states----- I have no idea how much I paid for it, but it wasn't much---- worth it

So I come back from the store and FINALLY force myself to shower and nap......

When I awoke my computer had mutually taken a nap and I never received my log in information for my internet connection (supposed to be sent to your e-mail) and due to my computer's nap I no longer was connected.

This involved calling the 800# This is NEVER a good thing...........at least, USUALLY, in my room I can reach the front desk but none of my automatic buttons were working.............when I dialed 0 I received only a long beeeeeepppppp folllowed by a 2 tone beep. I am thinking this is nothing. Somehow I eventually push some random numerical buttons on the phone and get the front desk. Luckily 'The French' were in a good mood and helpful, and NICE about it--- they also helped me connect to room service which I will later get into---- I was completely helpless due to lack of automatic keys and no listed # in room service menu.

Ok....after I reconnect to internet and order room service...transfer back to front desk to give credit card#, then transfer back to room service talk to 3 different people and remind them not only of my order but that I am a crew member (for discount)......

YAY!!!! FOOD HERE!!!!

It was really good....and it did come with a roll.....but when I picked up the roll I knew right away that portion of the dinner would not be eaten.....not due to taste but due to the fact that at first I wasn't sure if it was a roll or a stone/ rock ornamentation. NOT KIDDING....there is really no way to show how hard this thing was but I am bored so started playing with it.

Does that show any sign of how hard it was??---- I mean the knife was perfectly comfortable resuming that position for as long as possible (much like the Sword in the Stone)

Then I decided that also if I need anything hammered @ some point during my stay it could be used like this:

So that has been Paris Feb 2, 2009 thus far..............

well besides the OBVIOUS facebooking and blog commenting

A PS-- to the FB 25 Things About ME

2009-01-31T16:35:00.001-06:00

I wrote this blog a long time ago but was just reminded of it today:

Things You Didn't Know About Me & Didn't Want To Know--- That will be the title of my autobiography.

We'll start at the beginning....Chapter 1: When I Was Little

When I was little....I used to try to leave the house in my nightgown b/c it was so beautiful surely people would think it was a dress.
I changed Hide & Seek to James Bond and when you found the person they were automatically killed.
I used to make my brother run around the backyard pretending to be my prized horse Black Beauty.
When my Mom and I would go to the store if we bought a bag of beans or rice I would carry it around like it was my baby.
I was to shy to say UNO so I would always lose.

That's as far as I got

Sometimes You Just Have To Wonder

2009-01-30T17:31:00.004-06:00

Ok....so the other night I made dinner in which I steamed red potatoes and green beans for sides.
I finished eating before Joe and he DOES NOT do dishes......not really, at least.....I have finally trained him to at least put his plate in the dishwasher, but I am in charge of the rest. He does a lot of cleaning and pretty much all the laundry so it's cool. I think his not doing dishes has something to do with his childhood and his mom always doing it.....Whatever......
Anyway, after dinner I clean up immediately so I can relax. SOoooooo...moving on
There were still some potatoes and green beans in the steamer and I ask Joe if he still wants more.....he says not to throw it away he's going to eat them.
Ok.....so I move on to my latest evening activity (which I am not mentioning for awhile).......
Later I notice the steamer is still full with leftover items, so I said to Joe "I thought you were going eat that" to which he replied: "Yeah, but not tonight" It's not a big deal but I would've earlier put them in container for storage and cleaned the steamer. Now I don't feel like it-----RARE.....I usually NEVER leave dishes over night. Anyway, I did put leftovers in fridge but left steamer in sink.
Since the steamer had been used for potatoes the next day the starch was all stuck to the steamer...........so I filled the sink with hot water & dish soap and used the stopper so it could soak.
Later I come into the kitchen and the sink is empty (except for the dirty steamer) and the stopper is on the counter.
Me: "Joe did you drain the sink??"
Joe: "yes"
Me: "why??"
Joe: "It was full of water"
Me: "Yes.....because I was soaking the steamer in order to clean it....hence purposely keeping the water in the sink with the stopper"
Me: shaking my head and wondering exactly what he was thinking

The End

JEEZ

2009-01-30T14:22:00.004-06:00

I have been the most redundant blogger EVER!!! I VOW that my next blog will NOT be about the car or the puzzle.............

Naming The Car

2009-01-30T00:11:00.002-06:00

Yes...this is BIG....it is in fact an event on FB......but to may dismay nothing has quite struck me full heartedly

Of course everyone knows I have a new car....that is NOT the point.....the point is I feel the need to name the car......I believe her to be a female----- If you are NOT familiar with said car--- check out NEW CAR!!!
Anyway.........I have received many suggestions MUCH appreciated but I am personally leaning towards VElveteen (after Velveteen Rabbit)......
Let me know....I am posting a poll

The Year of The Puzzle: Part VII

2009-01-29T01:07:00.005-06:00

Ok....I know.....everyone is sick of hearing about the puzzle.....at least I have moved on from the car......

I wouldn't post this blog if not soooo much success was achieved tonight:

Ok.....welll I have been super productive lately, but that I will post later......

The Year of The Puzzle: Part VI

2009-01-28T03:22:00.003-06:00

Ok....well I had a VERy busy day and then OF COURSE had to work on 'the puzzle'......I was tired at least 2 hrs ago but just finally gave up for the night
Here is the latest progress report:

I have NO idea why this picture came out sideways....the camera took it straight on...and when I open the file it is normal......

whatever.....I need to go to bed

New Bloggers

2009-01-27T00:59:00.002-06:00

I, too......have recruited new bloggers.......both are flight attendants so you may get sick of our airline talk but if you would like to check out these new bloggers one is Kerri Lewin : http://secreteeyore.blogspot.com/
She has been on for several weeks and some of you have caught on to her but the newer one has only been on for a few days. Vanessa Ramirez: http://sugaredrose.blogspot.com/

Just a heads up if you want to check out new bloggers.............
:)

seriously

2009-01-26T16:46:00.001-06:00

Do both these vehicles need to be right next to each other going the same speed?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Country Breakfast

2009-01-25T11:50:00.002-06:00

I guess this is my country breakfast. I am staying @ my friend's farm, I don't know where everyone is but this is what I found sitting out in the kitchen. Good thing I don't stay here all the time or I'd already have had a heart attack, but yummy
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Year of The Puzzle: Part V

2009-01-23T22:10:00.003-06:00

Ok.....well due to my injury and being out of work....luckily this has given me plenty of opportunity to work on 'The Puzzle'

Also, Queen B came in town this week and eagerly assisted with the puzzle

So.....here is the latest progress report......It is DEFINITELY coming along!! YAY!!!

NEW CAR!!!

2009-01-23T12:27:00.006-06:00

Ok.....I will shut up about the new car after this blog.....maybe/ probably...unless you are one of my BB friends then you might have to hear about it every now & then.....for a little while.

That said-- I am home from picking up new car and now have some pics to show you!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this car!!!! It drives soooooo smooth and SUPER QUIET!!! I LOVE IT!!

I once again have to thank my husband for helping make this happen and getting such a GREAT deal and also for dropping me off @ the dealership on his way to work!!

:):):)

YIPPEE!!!!

2009-01-22T18:47:00.005-06:00

So......met with Joe @ car dealership today and everything went REALLY REALLY WELL!!!! SUPER SUPER EXCITED!!!! We got AN EXCELLENT deal......I am financing for 3yrs @ low %rate and my car is coming w/ all inclusive warranty for 3yrs that covers everything including oil changes and new tires!!!!
I pick up my new car tomorrow.....Joe is going to drop me off @ dealership on his way to work----Damn that's early but I will be excited!!!
I am getting a 2009 VW Rabbit.....mine is going to be dark gray (I wish they made it in green but dark gray is cool)
OF COURSE you will be getting ACTUAL pictures of the car ASAP tomorrow but here is a website you can look at b/c I know EVERYONE is VERY interested in this.
http://www.vw.com/rabbit/en/us/?sem=208416580 (by the way I paid way less than that)
I have NEVER had a NEW car.....in fact I have barely even had a car......
I leased one like 10yrs ago.......but then when I was living in NYC I didn't need a car so this will be my VERY FIRST purchase for a NEW car!!!

Productivity Runneth Over

2009-01-21T19:58:00.003-06:00

For being injured and not really able to do much I sure got ALOT done today....getting in & out of car a teeny bit tricky....but driving is fine (on knee)

picked up check from insurance co.
ate lunch
deposited check, ordered new checks, and talked to representative about auto loans
went to Dr. about injured knee
Probably just bruised & sprained but no work for another wk (still hurts BAD and is swollen).....I think by then it should be better, if not I will keep you posted
Also had to get X-rays just in case......you know, whatever
stopped by friend's apartment where I left my house keys last week
went to pharmacy to fill Rx----- and bought 3 birthday cards to be proactive on birthday card sending---- I think the Queen & I share this resolution
went to Target to buy a new pair of sweat pants......I only own 1 pair and due to injured knee/ abrasion on injured knee I can not wear jeans....so I have been forced to wear the velour sweat pants EVERY day.....getting old.....(Yes they have been washed....not that I am doing anything to get them dirty)
stopped by eye dr. b/c it is across the street from Target to get an appt.
stopped by Chase bank to inquire about their auto loan financing
stopped by store
Yesterday when my car was deemed 'totaled' I had to remove items from old car before it is no longer available to me.....these items are not too many--- I keep my car pretty clean, but there were a few coats, and work out towels, and some stuff in rental car I needed to put away----- so did that
swept around bird cage
Put clothes away in my corner of the room I like to just throw things
Put clothes away that were folded after laundry was done 2 days ago
mopped a partial part of our floor, near entry way--- in case you were wondering
Um.....showered and washed hair
and about to write in 3 B-Day cards and address and stamp them and get them in mail....that means give them to Joe to take to work and send from there

Also----- In respect to new car (If you are not aware of this situation read: A Bitter Sweet Goddbye to my VW Golf )Anyway....my VERY LOVED husband has been doing GREAT research and talked to some people @ a dealership in Houston that seems to be offering a VERY good deal.....EXTREMELY close to invoice price!!! YAY!! So I am going to meet Joe tomorrow @ 1230pm to look @ the car and go over financing, etc..... I will keep you posted!!! VERY EXCITED!!! Not so excited about new monthly payment but luckily this is coming @ a point in which I actually JUST finished paying a somewhat significant monthly payment so should about balance out
Ok.....that is all.....I am sure you are tired of reading anyway!!

A Bitter Sweet Goddbye to my VW Golf

2009-01-20T21:48:00.005-06:00

Well....the other day I had 2 misfortunes.....misfortune #1 I fell and hurt myself.....
At first I thought I broke my wrist but only sprained it (wrist is almost 100% already).....other injury included major scrape and major bruising on knee.....this has proven to be the worse of the 2 injuries and still ails me and I think I am going back to doctor tomorrow.....I am sure everything is fine (or will be) I just need doctor affirmation and perhaps an extended doctor's note for work..........
Ok....other incident......wrecked my car....all by myself (separate incident btw)......Normally I am a pretty good driver.....I may take some risks but I am a generally good driver.......This time however was an exception:
I was driving down the road when I realized @ like 30mph I was going the wrong way and needed to U-Turn RIGHT now......well.....that didn't work out so good b/c I landed on the median. BRILLIANT. Sigh.......I am not perfect..... and accidents happen..........AAA towed me to my mechanic to drop car off then took me home. Finally today Insurance Co. went to mechanics and determined car totaled.......many issues and possible new engine, blah, blah..........
Joe was worried I would be upset and I am NOT thrilled but I would rather have them total it with all the damage b/c I want to have a car I can keep for a LONG time. I don't know that I want to keep a car that has been through so much..........plus I had upcoming expensive general maintenance coming up (fuel injector...etc...).
Well, car is fully paid for so I can put the full check insurance gives me toward down payment on new car, but I am not excited about new monthly payments----- still I think this is the best scenario.
Joe and I looked @ cars this evening and I have decided on the VW Rabbit.......2009...........
I think with my down payment & EXTREMELY remarkable high credit score financing should be ok......but we shall see. We still need to investigate better deals.....outside finance, etc....
And I might have to go for a used car which is ok, too............I am just planning on keeping my car as long as possible and would like to start that off with a fresh 'new' start.
We'll see what happens
I am a VW girl.....probably always will be until I can afford something like a Saab Turbo (which I really do NOT need---b/c they are fast & fun + expensive to fix).........I don't ever need anything too fancy--- I liked my little VW Golf...........and I will drive a manual for many years to come......it's fun and adds to the driving experience as far as I am concerned....although there is LIMITED multi tasking with that choice......and one day I will probably break my left foot and hate myself for loving standards, but I can't help it I do......
I am loyal to standards and VWs

The Year of The Puzzle: Part IV

2009-01-18T02:51:00.004-06:00

Well....I almost feel as though I should erase yesterday's prgoress report but I will keep it........

Today much progress was accomplished..........ALL borders finally were in right place and completed.............plus some internal work was put together.......it is sort of beginning to look like a picture and I am getting a grasp for the box/ slash real life scale.........

Joe did fall asleep earlier on the couch despite his claim to help with 'the puzzle'........a few hrs later he awoke and after a 30 min of 'I just woke up' he DID in fact help. I knew he didn't feel like it seeing how he had already fallen asleep but I did appreciate his effort and he helped 'a little'....the important thing is he made the effort.

So here is the latest account of 'The Puzzle'

The Year Of The Puzzle: Part III

2009-01-17T01:44:00.004-06:00

First off....I began naming this series "The Year of The Puzzle" b/c once I got ALL the peices out of the box I figured it would take the year to put it together, but I am making progress---- and aside from Queen B's visit this as been a lone project.....sigh.....still hoping that changes b/c I think it would be fun to work on it together, with Joe, but anyway........

Here is the latest photo of the progress:

It may not look like alot of progress but I assure you it IS coming along........

It is VERY addicting...........I would STILL be working on it right now except I have a VERY bruised and swollen knee that was REALLY beginning to hurt (more than usual) so I had to sit down to ice it............(Another story--- not blog worthy)---but I kept finding pieces that would fit together which only fuels the motivation to continue.

I am looking forward to the Queen's visit and hopefully we can work together again!!

I wish I was with all of you in Cali.....I am sure you are having a GREAT time and I am sorry I have yet to meet you, but all in good time! :)

2009 Productivity, thus far

2009-01-14T18:24:00.003-06:00

Well.....as an ongoing commitment to productivity I have done the following lately:

worked out Thursday, Friday, Sunday & Monday (days I was on call)
EXTENSIVE grocery shopping
cooking
Yesterday I woke up @ an unGodly hour to drop Sasha off @ groomers..........then went back to bed...I had bad allergies (not a good day) but then I, too, got my hair done....I went to bed early (11pm) that night
Today I went to a Dr's appt and got my oil changed + got an estimate on what I should do to keep my car maintained......turns out my car is in pretty great condition but is due for fuel injector something and needs a new air filter (estimate $211) maybe next week
Worked lots on the puzzle today.....I have made ALOT of progress today but I am not going to take a picture b/c it desn't look that much different......still going to work on puzzle more tonight--- It must be the yummy scrambled eggs w/ artichokes, mushrroms, green onions and cheese I made for breakfast.....brain food...... YES now that I am home more I am becoming a little chefish
OH the hard drive in my computer crashed yesterday-- FUN!! :( Anyway, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new one they are sending.....and NOT looking forward to starting ALL over (installing crap, etc..)..........Luckily JUST the other day I did back up my ENTIRE computer to a Norton 'secure' on line site..........I don't know how that works, but hopefully it will be helpful
I made turkey burgers for dinner tonight......the day before last we had salmon w/ red potatoes and asparagus
I also made an eye dr appt for tomorrow, but if I get my new hard drive before exam I may have to reschedule, especially since I am may be going to my friend's house tomorrow night
OH------ also mailed one birthday card ON TIME

So......yes, I have been productive.....
:)

New Year Book Inspiration

2009-01-13T01:13:00.003-06:00

Any readers considering books for the new year I encourage you to read the following blog: Books for the New Year
This is a blog by my one of my good friends (a fellow flight attendant--- Kerri Lewin, better known as Secret Eeyore)............

Insomniac's Train of Thought (in response to ABBA)

2009-01-12T15:01:00.001-06:00

(I wrote this awhile ago)

I hear the birds chriping outside...they talk to each other alot. I swear since I put the bird feeder out, the amount of birds in the courtyard have doubled....at least the noises they make have....they are always talking but I like it.......I wonder if my neighbors have notcied that.........I wonder if they are thinking "Damn things were real quiet around here til 220 got that stupid bird feeder".........I wish I could go back to sleep.........I'm sorry Ms. Jackson I am For Real........why the hell do I have that song stuck in my head.....I haven't heard that song in forever and I don't even like it........what was the last song I heard....ggrrrr......I think I want to watch the rest of the movie Snow Dogs (I think that is the name of it)........I only watched 20 mins of it on the plane and I didn't get to see if the dog lived and if they were all rescued-- I really wanted to let the rest of the crew know that I wouldn't be joining them for the breakfast service b/c I needed to see the end of Snow Dogs......my knee hurts maybe if I lay all the way at the edge of the bed and let my foot hang off that will feel good...............ok, that does feel good but I think my foot is falling asleep, still feels good though..............not comfortable for sleep, but good for the knee............I am thirsty, but if I move to take a sip of water it might interrupt the attempt at sleep..........now I have to pee......ok, don't think about it.........well of course now that is all I can think of.........fuck, I guess I will get up to pee, and I will drink some water while I am at it..........maybe I should stop at the computer and write this down, too...........

Something Out of Nothing??

2009-01-11T20:43:00.002-06:00

It's been a slow month--- work wise......being a 'Reserve Flight Attendant" I am @ the mercy of Senior flight attendants calling out sick and being in the right place @ the right time to get called for a trip.
Luckily I did get one trip to London and that is ONLY b/c I worked the lead position (which you are supposed to be specially trained for) but they didn't have any of those people and the supervisor for those people (ISMs= International Service Managers) likes me and prefers I do it than someone who has NO clue & is crying the whole time b/c they have to do it. So yeah she called scheduling and made sure I worked that trip and since then......I have been 'on call'.............I think I have had 2 days off and done 2 Airport Alerts: Airport Alert ----I think most of you know what this is by now but their is a reference in case you don't. The other days I have just been sitting around wondering if at any minute I will be called to rush to the airport and save the day with my presence.
At first I really did think I was going to get called @ any minute but eventually I loosened that grasp on me and began living a life...... A life that meant working out....A life that meant cleaning.....A life that entailed 'hopeful' grocery shopping and home cooked meals. This has been a good life. I would prefer to be working and making money to continue the grocery shopping, etc... but I am glad to be back to working out and seeing the light of day (once in awhile).
Also, I have been able to work on the puzzle....unfortunately Joe has not been as excited about "The Puzzle" so besides Queen B's visit I have been on my own. Joe is VERY helpful....when he can pull himself away from the TV but that is only MAYBE during a commercial. hmmmmmppph........Hopefully we can work on this a little.

Anyway today was day 4 of working out...in 5 days......WOO HOO............and round 2 of severe grocery shopping and a yummy, delicious and healthy dinner with a new recipe for spinach that will become more of a constant FOR SURE. Maybe I will make it for you Queen B.....we shall see

Also, to clear up any foreseen comments about getting paid.....I get a 'pay guarantee' each month but it doesn't include per diem...........and I like to over my guarantee and work as much as possible but sometimes I just have to throw in the towel........

The Year of The Puzzle: Part II

2009-01-09T22:46:00.008-06:00

Well at first Joe was not engaged in said puzzle but luckily Queen B was here to assist:

After The Rockets game.....Joe came around saying that I had all the blue pieces and should be able to just fit them together...so I let him take over such an "EASY" project:

Well, hopefully Joe's enthusiasm will remain after Queen B's visit....they did work well together:

we have made some progress although it is still a mess................but here is your lateset progress report :)

The Year of The Puzzle: Part I

2009-01-08T17:10:00.006-06:00

This is my latest attempt to engage Joe in an activity outside of watching TV

I am not sure how much Joe will participate and I am guessing this will be a fixture on our dining room table at least through June......I will keep you updated with progress reports

Miss Understood??

2009-01-08T13:48:00.002-06:00

In my last blog I wasn't telling everyone to blog...I was only teasing b/c I didn't have any more blogs to comment on and so I was therefor writing The Nothing Blog
I know we all get writers block and get busy, TRUST ME

The Nothing Blog

2009-01-07T20:29:00.002-06:00

I was going to write a blog but didn't really have that much to say.........
I wrote some stuff regarding the fact that I don't really have a whole lot to say --I am just wasting time while I back up my computer to my external hard drive and then to a 'secure on line site'..........
Also, I mentioned that last time I saw Queen B (a month ago) I told her that I was going to lose 10lbs before the next time she saw me...........I am going to see here tomorrow and that whole losing 10lbs hasn't really worked out, but I DID go to the gym today and feel pretty good......so maybe let's say within 2 months that can happen.......I feel discipline coming on........
Well......the other stuff I did today was switch to Quicken b/c I HATE Microsoft Money......I feel refreshed and things are making more sense.
I mopped the floors as I had planned to do yesterday.........
I am also going to cook dinner for the second day in a row........

Well, if other people would blog more I could just waste time commenting on their blog instead of subjecting you to my nothing blog...........

Sometimes I Do Stuff

2009-01-06T20:12:00.004-06:00

Perhaps many of you think I hardly ever actually work and maybe you think I am lazy and just sit around on the computer all day facebooking & blogging.....
Well, I do spend too much time on the computer (and I can be somewhat lazy at times) but those are the days I am usually 'on call' for work and my name is like #1-#3 to be called and I know as soon as I decide to do ANYTHING my phone will ring & I will be in panic mode rushing to the airport.
If it was up to me I would work ALOT more and be sitting around worrying about whether I am going to work ALOT less, but as any reserve flight attendant can tell you this is damn near impossible.
However, as a New Year's resolution I am determined to be more productive and not waste my days so much and of course I am going to work out more, too.
Today I was on call for work and I was #1 to be called for a trip but did that stop me from leaving my house and seeing the light of day NO! That's right I said "NO SCHEDULING" My car needs gas, I need to go to the post office and b/c I have actually had VERY few days that I have been actually "off" and not 'on call' in the last few wks I have not been grocery shopping b/c I figured if I did I would go on a trip and everything would go bad.
I have been sick of waking up to NO food for at least the last week and of course several of my beauty products were starting to run out ALL at once---- that's a fun expense at one time.
So today:

I filled my car w/ gas
went to post office
spent an hour and a half @ the grocery store
put all the clean dishes up
cleaned all dirty dishes
put thousands of groceries away
made a dinner that was time consuming and healthy and yummy
bathed Sasha

Ok, so that's about it, but for being on call for work all day and knowing I am on call again for the next 2 days that is sort of alot.

I was also going to go work out, but I was hungry from the previous lack of groceries and decided to make the time consuming dinner which also involved extensive clean up. I also was going to mop the floors and maybe vacuum but its 830pm now and my feet hurt.....I will save that for tomorrow. Plus Joe always gets home later than I am ready to eat so I have to make dinner part 2 in a few minutes.

Just thought I would fill you in that so far 2009 is off to a more ambitious and productive start.........

Yawn-ish

2009-01-05T22:53:00.002-06:00

Well today I get up early!!! Yes, today I got up @ 9am.....I made breakfast and then watched Headline News and Facebooked and determined that as long as I was back from the gym by 130pm I would have enough time to get ready for work. A slight miscalculation that has happened before......I actually needed to leave for work @ 130pm and didn't figure this out until noon when I finally proudly and ambitiously adorned my work out clothes. I was sort of looking forward to my work out, but I definitely needed to get ready for work.....and by work I mean that lovely? assignment in which I sit @ the airport for 4 hrs INSANELY bored and worrying if the 'Bat Phone' is going to ring for me: Airport Alert
Well, in the last few months I have been meaning to clean up ALL the photos on my computer and organize and go through each folder, consolidate, move photos that were confused and ended up in the wrong folder, etc..... Of course Airport Alert is the perfect time for this project. I was pretty excited actually.
This proved to be a fulfilling, but tiring project.....after almost 2 hrs my eyes were crossing and I felt sleepy. I DID complete the project and moved on to some reading material..............I lasted for about 10mins and then fell asleep and not the kind of sleep I felt like waking up from and being rushed to some random gate to some random flight to some random country. Luckily I only had 15 mins left and so I sleepily re grouped and socialized (unfortuantely I ran into MANY flight attendants on my way to the bathroom where I was hoping to investigate my post nap look)......Of course I see these people before I had a chance to investigate whether pillow marks were part of my look, if my hair was in a disarray and basically wasn't really awake enough to form perky sentences.
By the time I got to the bathroom I was relieved to see that my strategic placement of my head on the chair had left no marks on my face and my hair was just fine, besides my ROOTs showing .
Ok, not so exciting, but that was my day...............I came home & realized once again that TV SUCKS................someone had suggested to me recently Two & a Half Men......That came on and although it had some funny moments it screamed cookie cutter sitcom and I was once again disappointedly searching guide and perviously Tivoed shows for something fulfilling.
Thank God for Facebook and Blog Site (and BBM).............that's how lame today was.

RED EYE ALERT

2008-12-31T21:04:00.006-06:00

As I have learned many times....the hard way......some innocently looking bottles of eye 'solution', 'cleaner', 're-wetting', and 'disinfecting' drops........can effect your eyes in many different ways, especially if you are just grabbing for any eye saving bottle of whatever in a matter of emergency.

Last week I had arrived from a LONG trip and Joe and I were going to dinner.......I was determined to NOT wear my glasses as I feel like a dork in them and save them only for emergencies, or extreme laziness............

Anyway, my eyes were REALLY dry and I asked Joe if he had 're-wetting drops'.....he said no, but I was sure I saw a tiny bottle in my cabinet of the bathroom.......Ah Hah......Indeed I found said tiny bottle......How was to know it was actually poison??!! It looked like a re-wetting drop vile and so why would I feel the need to read further...........

Let me tell you why: The reason is is b/c this tiny vile of said 're-wetting' drops was actually a "1 step to a daily protein remover' and DEFINITELY NOT meant to be inserted directly into one's eye.

Joe shook his head and acted as if I made a poor choice in assuming this was a 're-wetting vile'........I responded by saying "How was I to know??......Really......the re-wetting bottle looks EXACTLY the same and it was in MY cabinet NOT yours"........

Apparently this imposter was placed in 'my' cabinet by accident.....................

After realizing a partial mistake on his part--- Joe further informed me to NOT put anything in my eye containing a red tip......This I found VERY useful information...............I had NO idea there was a warning or difference in color of 'won't make your eye hurt & water all night/ day" and 'will make your eye feel better'

So all of you that are behind the times (I guess) and still wearing contacts and do not know this information I pass this VALUABLE information to you.

BEWARE:

OK:

Whit tips= Safe Red Tips= Danger

Laptop Resuscitation!!! :)

2008-12-30T21:26:00.004-06:00

Well, after reading my last blog Delia R.I.P? (Oh by the way......WOW!! I figured out how to create a link)...........
Anyway, after reading my last blog I know how everyone has been VERY concerned over the situation with my new computer and it's inability to work correctly and possibly being dead.
Today was a VERY good day.............the computer doctor performed minor surgery on Delia and she was up and running again within the hour.
I wanted to share this joy with you and put an end to your worrying and concern.

Delia R.I.P?

2008-12-27T16:44:00.003-06:00

Delia is the name of my computer..........Sigh..........I am not really sure what is going on exactly. All I can tell you is that it doesn't work. This morning I tried turning it on and received what I thought was a black screen, after much denial and sevaral retries I found that if I caught the light just right I could see a faded screen.....I could make out that it said my computer could not start up and the start up something or other was running a scan to diagnose the problem.......then trying to repair. Then I could make out that it said it could not repair the problem and would I like to send a report....so I did and then I called Dell.
In the meantime while on hold I am continuing my denial...........eventually I did get into windows but the background was still VERY dark.........Luckily? I could see just barely enough to let the computer tech guy take over my computer. He could see just fine and did a bunch of stuff....I don't know what.......In the end he said he is having a technician bring me a new LCD and video card. Hopefully then I will be able to see the screen, but now when I try to sign onto my computer it just is running a bunch of tests in DOS mode which I really can't read.
I don't know, what I do know is that hopefully this will get fixed. I JUST bought this computer like 4 months ago...........Unfortunately a little over 2 months ago it was dropped. This is the first time I have had problems since then but I hope it is not related................Especially since my HUSBAND talked me out of buying the 'if stolen or damaged' warranty. I knew that was a BAD idea..............SIGH

Kimono Delight

2008-12-26T18:39:00.004-06:00

I worked over Christmas....I went to Tokyo....actually Narita (which is like an hr train ride--- at least-- outside Tokyo) Narita is where the airport and our hotel is located. Narita is not very exciting.........To actually get to the city part of Narita you have to take a bus from the hotel so I decided this time to skip out on site seeing and hang out in my hotel.

The hotel, strangely, has a big huge locker room where all different crews keep stuff for while they are on their layover...........The hotel TVs have VHS tape players......in Continental's locker area we have a bunch of different VHS tapes we can borrow. This is VERY cool if you don't speak Japanese and want to watch anything besides BBC and CNN. Anyway, I borrowed 2 movies.........and went to my room.....we also get free internet in the room, as I am sure some of you noticed due to my constant facebooking.

While hanging out in my room I found a kimono.........I thought it would be fun to try on. I was an instant fan of the Kimono!!......this was definitely bottom of the line Kimono but it still was SUPER comfortable and smelled REALLY good. I was sooooo comfortable in it I decided to sleep in it.............Kimonos are really not a good candidate for 'sleep wear' due to their resemblance to the hospital gown, but I was still VERY comfortable. I REALLY wanted to take 'My' kimono home b/c I was certain this would be my new household uniform, but when I called the front desk inquiring about whether it was complimentary I received a confusing answer that included something about bringing it to the front desk. I presumed that to mean NOT complimentary and I did not really want to check out @ the front desk with a used kimono in my hands.

Here is a picture of me in my kimono.....taken with new Canon Elph 10mega pixel camera:

HA HA HA!!! FUN with Kimono and new camera!! :)

WOW!!! Thanks.....

2008-12-25T04:16:00.004-06:00

Monday night I received my Christmas present, as Joe and I were not going to be able to spend Christmas together. He bought me a new camera!! I am VERY excited about this!! I LOVE photography and LOVE to take pictures, especially traveling to so many different places.
Well, like any new toy you want to use it RIGHT away. There is nothing very picture worthy in my house......yeah, sure I can take pictures of me, Joe and the pets but.......No, I wanted to find something different to take a picture of.
I looked @ our mantle and saw a souvenir I bought Joe when we first started dating. I don't like to buy the usual souvenirs...I mean in some ways I do.....coffee mugs, etc (especially for certain people)..... but I do like to find the unique side of pretty much anything ordinary (Queen B is probably reading and saying "yeah, pretty much")........with that said I bought Joe an interesting souvenir from Hawaii. When I saw it I knew immediately I liked it b/c I had not seen it before and it did not SCREAM Waikiki or alot of other Hawaii souvenirs. Also, I was considering if my appreciation for the item would be shared with new found boyfriend........After moderate consideration I decided to go ahead with the purchase:

I can't really remember his reaction, honestly.....I think he did like it right off but was a little surprised, that of all things, receiving that from Honolulu. At any rate it was the first souvenir I bought for him and it has held many positions in his apartment before we moved in together, then in our first apartment together and now on our jumbled mantle that really needs to be organized.
It's not such a photo worthy moment but it was fun to rekindle the thoughts and presence surrounding this interesting souvenir.