40 things you may not know about me

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Yeah - I am not a fan of any of them

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Well - it was supposed to be two days ago - but thanks to that damn Murphy and the flu I have - that didn't happen! I couldn't tell you the last time! How sad is that!

3. Last time you puked from drinking? LOL - been a long time now!

4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar? Yeah - you couldn't get me to do this no matter how much I drink! LOL

5. Name of your first grade teacher? I can not for the life of me remember - how incredibly sad is that?

6. What do you really want to be doing right now? Feeling better than I do. I am legitally off work for at least a couple days but it is due to the flu - again - I am so sad! lol

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A dectective - God Bless "Hunter" LOL

8. How many colleges did you attend? One

9. GAS PRICES? OMG - are you freaking kidding me - it should be illegal!

10. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you? Anywhere where we can be happy - preferrably in the mountains!

11. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? no way - I just went to bed!

12. Last thought before going to sleep last night? How much I love my husband and son

13. Favorite style of underwear? Boy shorts

14. Favorite style of underwear for the opposite sex? None (wink)

15. What errand/chore do you despise? Boy - that would be a tie - between having to shop at Wal-Mart and cleaning the tub - not a fan of either one of them!

16. If you didn’t have to work, would you volunteer? Yes – I would love to be involved with Habitat for Humanity!

17. Get up early or sleep in? Oh wow - sleep in - definitely

18. When did you first start feeling old? When my son hit double digits

19. Favorite 80’s movie? Blues Brothers

20. Your favorite lunch meat? Smoked turkey

21. What do you get every time you go into Sam’s Club? Baby Back ribs to smoke, yogurt

22. Beach or lake? Mountain lake

23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? No - I think some people make a mockery of it - but I think marriage is a beautiful thing.

24. Favorite guilty pleasure? LOL - not sure - maybe playing internet games till my fingers bleed? LOL

25. Favorite movie you wouldn’t want anyone to find out about? I can't think of one right now - I am sure there is at least one! LOL

26. What’s your drink? Merlot - love it, Diet Pepsi rocks too!

27. Who from high school would you like to run into? Stacey Seaman. We were such good buddies, then she fell off the face of the earth. I have tried to locate her, and did. But she said she didn’t want to talk to anyone from “those days” - DITTO

28. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now? 99.9fm KEKB Country radio

29. The Cosby Show or the Simpson’s? Can I choose neither? LOL

30. What famous person(s) would you like to party with? To Party with? Jeff Dunham would be so much fun!

31. What famous person would you like to sleep with? Oh boy - don't tell the hubby - but that would have to be Johnny Depp! LOL - YUMMMO - that man gets better with age! Him and Bon Jovi! WOW

32. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? NOPE

33. Last book you read for real? Dan Brown's Angels and Demons

34. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth? Define strange - LOL

35. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go? Napa Valley

36. Do you go to church? Nope

37. What was your favorite gift this season? My new RED digital camera!

38. Do you wear perfume? What kind? Sometimes - Celine Dion's original one

39. Showers or baths? I miss my garden tub - I love long baths!

40. Just how OLD are you anyway? 34

Familar Blue Object

Hi all - Happy New Year!!!!

I know I have been so bad about posting - one of my zillion resolutions is to get better at this! So - here is my first post of the new year!

It is a small post as I don't have a lot of time - but I had to share!

I work for a 'non-profit' hospital and they are in the process for building a new, 12 story addition they call "The Century Project" - it is slated to be completed at the end of 2009.
From the building I work in - which is down the street from what I call "the mother ship" - I have a pretty good view of the construction happening. One day - I was sitting in our lunchroom and noticed a familar blue object many, MANY feet above where it should have been. So I went home and told my husband about it. He thought I was crazy - just sort of laughed it off! So when we went out that next weekend and drove by the construction - I thought "surely he'll see it now"- but IT WASN"T THERE. So I was thinking I was crazy. Until the other day. See - my hubby bought me a digital camera for Christmas and I have been carrying it with me. So - I am leaving work and sure as shit - what do I see - that familar blue object and it is, again, WAY higher off the ground then it should be. Well - lucky for me - I had my camera. So I snapped a shot and went home. My husband just laughed his ass off when he saw it and I had proof I wasn't completely insane! Here is what I saw - tell me if you think it is a bit strange and what comes to mind when you see it!!!

Long overdue

Hola from Colorado! It has come to my attention that I haven't updated this blog in a couple months - OOPS!!!
So - this will be a brief but hopefully effective update for all my blogger friends - well the whole maybe 3 of you! LOL
I sit here - on my couch - red wine beside me - hubby passed out on the other couch and listening to my 11 year old cough like nothing I have ever heard. He has a slight cold and (I quote) "I am coughing to get it out" LOL - I love the mind of my little one!
We decorated for Halloween today - well attempted it - we got on each others' nerves and quit for the night - we will hang the spider webs tommarrow - LOL! I have a headstone and "beware" signs in the front yard - in my front entry way - a sign that lights up that looks like a headstone, police "do not cross" tape across the pillars, a 'splat' witch on the wall (cuz her ass wouldn't work on the garage door and a spider that is motion activated and jumps off the light! - Inside = pumpkins lights everywhere, tea light holders, and a stuffed witch by the TV = there will be a spider web encompassing my entire dining room after we hang it tommarrow!
oH - FORGOT - the creep me out - I hate 'em huge ass spiders my son has strategically placed so I freak out daily! LOL'
Other than that - all is well in my world - I think! My hubby is having issues at work and we are on the roller coaster of I hate it there lets move to I can do this and don't want to leave this town. We will figure it out - always do - just pray for us please!
Other than that - not much to report! I am enjoying the cooler weather - this is my favorite time of year! Growing up in the hellish temperatures that are Arizona - I cherish the fact that I have actual seasons and Fall is my favorite!
We bought four wheelers earlier this year - and we have been out on them nearly every weekend lately! I have loved the rides on the Uncompaghre Plateau - well always - but lately - you can just see the trees and everything changing color from week to week - it is awesome! And might add - very therapeutic too! LOL ***actually - the picture I posted with this is from a ride on the Grand Mesa - pretty huh?***
Well all - that is what I have to date - not much! I guess boring might be the best way to describe it! lol
Take care! Luv ya!

Things that make you go - WTF????

Ok all - I need to shake my head and wonder what the hell the people in the FDA (or whoever the f**k does it) think of when they do their 'serving size'. I had a hard enough time with the pint of Ben and Jerry's that serves 4 or the package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that serves 2 = but I have found another one that has sent me over the freaking edge _ LMAO!!!
We recently bought a jar of Velasic pickles - and by jar I mean tankard. It's a HUGE jar. My son loves to snack on them! So - I go to put one in my lunch today because hell - I thought it was a good idea!!! Something made me look at the nutritional facts on the jar. Along with the fact that there are 48 servings in this jar - I read that each serving has 5 calories. I'm thinking that's a pretty good little snack - right???? Let me fill ya in on the what really caught my attention:

Servings per container = 48
Calories per serving = 5

SERVING SIZE = (and I am not making this up) = 1/4 of a pickle
EXCUSE ME??? WTF???? 1/4 of a pickle???? Who the hell came up with that crap???

So - in trying to process this in my head - I immediately focus on the "servings per container" part = does that mean they think there are only 12 pickles in this big ass jar? I don't think so! Not to mention the pickles themselves are only about 3-4 inches long and maybe (and that is a BIG maybe) 1 inch around. The jar stands a foot tall and is about 6 inches around.
And don't get me started on the fact that the pickles are all different sizes. So does that mean that a serving a 1/4 of a smaller pickle or a larger pickle!!!
LMAO - this was my morning and I am obviously still not over it!!! I just had to share!!!

Apology

OK
First off - I will apologize that it has been so long since I was able to update anything! The summer months have been crazy busy! We bought 4 wheelers and have been out playing on them alot! Plus I am not able to access the internet at work (well except for the few "approved" sites that if I venture off of I am sure whistles and sirens go off in IT and then they tell on me - PFFT) - so updating my blog has been hard to do!
But - now I have a laptop that I take to work (still can't access the internet) but I am able to write a blog to publish when I get home! So - stay tuned - there will be more to come!!!!

Happy 4th of July

Not much everyone - just wanting to let you all know that I haven't fallen off the end of the earth!
Happy 4th of July to all my friends out there - I miss you all and hope to catch you all up soon!

Enjoy the midweek holiday!!!

Sex in the small city

Why do we bother?

Can someone please explain to me why women even bother trying when it comes to their relationship with their significant others? Does anyone else out there feel that way or am I alone in my misery?

I have been married for almost 11 years to a wonderful man. Well, today - I have a different opinion of him - but all-in-all - a wonderful man. This man of mine is so hard on himself and lacks in self confidence. I knew this going in and have tried for 11+ years to surround him with love and support so he might one day know what the rest of us know - he is a good, wonderful and amazing husband, father and friend.

Last night, his lack of self confidence came to a boil. He came home late (after stopping to have a drink with a friend that turned into 2+ hours and a ride home). He has been going through a lot with work - so, even though I don't like it, I understand wanting to unwind and I completely appreciate that he knew he couldn't drive home.

So, anyway, his friend stayed for a beer or two (they were in the garage) and I stayed in the house, not wanting to intrude. His friend left and he came into the house. I was eating and watching my favorite show on TV - he grabbed a piece of pizza and came and sat down on the couch. The next thing I know - he is off and taking a shower and not at all talking to me. I tried to ask him about his day and start a couple conversations that he blew off.

OK - so I thought he was mad at me for some unknown reason. He got out of the shower and locked himself in my computer room and then later in the garage. This whole time - he only surfaces for more booze.

The night came to that boil a little while later.

He was in the garage and going thru my purse (yeah - gotta love that trust) and he found a note that I kept that he wrote me. OMG - he flew off the handle, accused me of being a slut and cheating on him and called me a whore in front of our son. Yeah folks - it was a great f'ing nite. He didn't remember writing that note and even went as far as to say it wasn't his hand writing. Words were exchanged - insults were flying - and threats of the "D" word kept coming. According my loving husband - he has suspected me of cheating on him for a couple months now and has been thinking of leaving me.
WTF???? Ok - first off - I have enough on my hands with one man - who the F**K wants to take on another one. Second (as I reminded him) - who has that kind of time. I go to work and I come home - where in there am I supposed to have time to carry on an extra-marital affair???? And again - who would want to? I am not the one who goes to the freaking bar 3 times a week for a couple hours at a time - if anyone had the opportunity (again - as I pointed out to him) - it would be his ass!

Anyway - I slept on the couch and he passed out in the bedroom. There was no way in hell I was going to be in the same room with him last nite - much less our bedroom. I got up this morning, made a pot of coffee and sat outside, listening to the rain. His ass got up, showered, put on cologne (yup - I am sure that was a "F" you - "I'm gonna make you curious" thing for my benefit), then he got on his bicycle and rode away (presumably to retrieve his truck from the bar I am sure he is at now) and hasn't come back yet - it's been a couple hours as of this writing. Now - I ask - who's the one who should wonder what the other one is doing?

Again - in closing - I would like to know - why we even bother. I know I can't win for trying - so why do I? Is it in hope that one day - one magical day - he will respect me and see that I support him, love him and would never hurt him?

MEME that reveals the dirty stuff - if you let it!

Courtesy of my bestest bud - here is a great MEME!!!

1. HAVE YOU GOTTEN LAID IN 2007? Hell ya
2. EVER HAD SEX IN A PUBLIC PLACE? Define public?
3. EVER LAUGH DURING SEX? IF SO WHY? I'm not sure
4. EVER CRY DURING SEX? IF SO WHY? Yup - and I will leave it at that
5. DO YOU LIKE TO CUDDLE AFTER SEX? Oh yeah
6. EVER REGRET SEX WITH SOMEONE? yes
7. EVER FAKED AN ORGASM? I plead the 5th
8. DIRTY TALK, OR SHUT THE FUCK UP? A little of both.
9. EVER HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX? um - yup
10. EVER MASTURBATE TO YOUR FRIEND’S SIGNIFICANT OTHER? YUCK- hell no
11. EVER HAVE A ONE NIGHT STAND? Hell no
12. EVER HAVE A THREESOME? nope
13. EVER WATCH PORN DURING SEX? Oh Yeah
14. EVER THOUGHT OF SOMEONE ELSE DURING SEX? Can't say that I have
15. HAS THE CONDOM EVER BROKEN? I’m married, no jimmy hats here! DITTO
16. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING SEXUAL EXPERIENCE? Wouldn't you like me to post that - pleading the fifth!
17. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU LOST YOUR VIRGINITY? 16
18. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE SEX WITH RIGHT NOW? My hubby - if he will get his ass home! My son is spending the night with a firend - can we say - hello #8, #13 and #5
19. DO YOU THINK THAT NUMBER 18 IS POSSIBLE? See comment above
20. ARE YOU HORNY NOW? Ah - again - comment above
21. HOW MANY SEXUAL PARTNERS? Now? Just the ONE! In my life time? Two
22. DO YOU LIKE SEX IN THE CAR? No, not even when I was younger. There is just no way to get a comfortable position. There is always a seat belt buck, a shifter, or something in the way. = well said girl!!!
23. DO YOU STILL TALK TO THE PERSON YOU LOST VIRGINITY TO? Hell no - if I ever see him again - I would let something else to the talking!
24. EVER HAVE SEX WITH A RELATIVE/FRIEND’S SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Ew. No No NO
25. EVER BEEN WITH A CHEATER? Sort of
26. TOYS, GOOD OR BAD? Depends
27. LINGERIE. Sure
28. EVER SLEEP WITH A CO-WORKER? Yup - I'm still married to him too
29. WHERE HAVE YOU HAD SEX?()park()church()cemetery(x)beach(x)boat()school()parent’s bed(x)your bed(x)car()picnic table(x)kitchen counter(x)couch/chair(x)dining room/kitchen table(x)woods (open and/or in a tent)(x)hood of a car(x)bathroom(x)shower(x)bathtub()the other person’s bed(x)porch/deck/balcony(x)in a house with parents home()at a party()on top of the washer/dryer()with other people in the room(x)hotel()concert()grandparent’s house()field()bleachers()bookstore / stock room.() Linen closet

Our latest purchase!!!

Here she is folks!!! Our latest purchase!!! It is a Yamaha Grizzly 450. My hubby is so excited - I think he might just sleep in the garage with it!!!! We bought one first -but may end up adding another one down the road. What do ya think???

Thursday Thirteen!!!!

Ok all my blogger buds (ok there aren't many of you - but still - lol)

It has been way too long - so I thought I would give a try at a Thursday Thirteen!!! (Applaud if you must – lmao)

This one is on what I hope to do this year. We won’t call it the dreaded “resolution” word – these are goals in a way of what I want for myself this year. So here it goes:


1. Laugh more
2. Lighten up
3. Loose at least 20 – 30 pounds
4. Make more time to read
5. Get to visit my sister
6. If it is still in production – I want to go see a taping of “Reba”
7. Plant some vegetables
8. Stand up for myself and my family more
9. Walk more (especially with my dog)
10. Go camping an insane amount of times
11. Donate time to Habitat for Humanity
12. Keep my house cleaner than I usually do
13. WIN THE LOTTERY!!! (well – one could wish right?)

I know it is a little past "resolution" time - but this was something I wanted to put down!

Lots of love to you all! Enjoy the rest of the week!

Rollercoast

Ok – my bloggin buddies. I need to vent.

My weekend S-U-C-K-E-D. That is the only way to state it. Let me outline it for you:

Friday = my son had spent the day with his Grandpa and I was supposed to pick him up after work. So after work on Friday – I stopped by to see a friend of mine (who I found out works for the same hospital that I do in a different building). This friend had the same fate as I did at the dumb HMO we used to work for. My friend took her firing a lot harder than I did. So we spent some time together on Friday and she cried and I felt like shit for her. (I will add that I was starting my period so = emotional wreck anyway). When I left her – I went to the store and picked up steaks for my hubby, my son and I to have for dinner. I went to pick my son up and he convinced his Grandpa to let me stay the night. So – change of plans. I ran home – met up with my hubby and we decided “date night”. We went to dinner and then dropped clothes off to my son for the next day. Sounds nice – right? Well – it was to that point. Then my weekend changed into something I would rather forget. Evidently – my hubby had ideas of a different sort for Friday nite and when I wasn’t “in the mood” he got quiet and went to bed.

Saturday = I woke up to my hubby still ‘disappointed’ in how our evening turned out and that we spent as much as we did on dinner. At dinner on Friday – we made plans for me to go to work with him on Saturday and go on a test flight. So I got up and got ready. My hubby got up and got ready. Then he starts the Jeep and comes in and asks (like he didn’t know) if I still want to go. (UM – yeah I did – that was why I was out of bed). Anyway (still PMS’ing – so I am bitchy - can ya tell) – we go to the hangar and he gets friendlier and we go on the flight. Now – the flight was – ah – interesting. It was so cool to see the beautiful mountains in the snow from the air! Toward the end of the flight we had to do what I had forgotten was part of a test flight = stalls. Yes folks – I said STALLS. They do it to calibrate the engines and do some last minute fine tuning. We didn’t just do one. Hell no – we did more like 15 or 20. My stomach was not happy! But – we landed and all was well!
Fast forward to later that night. We went to dinner at my dad’s house. Dinner was good. Then we played some cards. We were all drinking (my hubby, me, my dad and his wife). Towards what would be the end of our evening – my dad and his wife were discussing her inability to get her passport and difficulty in getting her green card (she’s from Canada). Now – I block that out – it is something I have heard as much as I want to of and what they want to say to each other is their thing. I did catch a couple comments that had to do with “F”ing America (on how hard it is to get the passport) and something about “not that hard in Canada”. My husband was NOT IMPRESSED in the least. He was done. He put his cards on the table and said he wanted taken home. He wasn’t going to put up with comments like that and he didn’t want to be there anymore. (Now – please do not get me wrong – he was completely right in how he felt – I agreed that the comments were not warranted). My dad looks at me like “what happened” and his wife says “it must have been the Canada comments”. So she knew she took it too far. My dad tried to convince me that it was a joke between them for all the difficulty they have had making his troll doll legal. Anyway – we go home. When we go home my hubby HIT THE ROOF. He went off about my dad and his wife, about not letting my son around them anymore and if I didn’t like it – I could leave him. Again – we were drinking and I was on the rag – so it was emotional. I took some things he said too personally and in the wrong manner. I admit that. To end a long ass story – he slept on the couch and I slept in our bed with the dog.

Sunday = I woke up at 8:30am – let the dog out – my hubby would say anything to me – so I went back to bed and slept until 1pm. (that was nice – lol). I got up – still not getting anything from my hubby. I did the dishes and some laundry. My hubby took a shower and took my son to get a haircut and do some grocery shopping. He had to talk to me a couple times to find out what I needed at the store – but that was minimal. We had dinner and that is when he started again about my dad and his wife and not letting them in our home or letting our son near them. And again – if I didn’t like it – I could leave. I told him I would never leave him over something I agreed with in the first place. We went to bed – this time in the same bed but not touching.

It is now Tuesday and we haven’t spoken probably 10 words to each other. On Monday – I left a note in his truck stating, again, that I agreed with him and that he was allowed to be pissed and that the only thing I had a problem with was the way he talked to me but even that I was over. It text messaged him this morning and still nothing.

So – I am just hanging on and hoping he decides to talk to me soon. What else can I do?

Well – that was my weekend – how about all of you out there in Blogger land?

Long time - no hear from me!!!

Okie dokie – first – I am sorry. I have been extremely busy lately – what with my change in jobs, the holidays and my little ‘criminal’ as we are calling my son lately = to say the least – I have been swamped. Add in that I do not have access to the internet at work now and you can see why it took me so long to check in!

So here we are. . . . Let’s see what I can catch you all up on!

First – my new job!!!! LOVING IT!!! No pregnant, hormone-whacked women calling me – in fact – no phone calls unless it is someone within the hospital needing me (which right now – isn’t much –lol). I work 7am to 3:30pm and like it. I think I made a great career choice!! **patting self on the back**

Christmas. Hmmmmm – can I tell you – I am honestly not much in the spirit of Christmas right now. I don’t really know why either. I have been a bah hum bug lately tho. We even bought a HUGE tree – 9 plus feet – 9 FEET PEOPLE – that is a huge freakin tree!!! We ended up cutting over a foot off of it and it hits my ceiling – lol!!! We put up lights on the outside of my house over the weekend – that was typical bah hum bug for us. I told my hubby later that it isn’t Christmas if he’s not pissy, I’m not bitchy and my son’s not crying. But all is well now and my lights look awesome!!!

My son. He has all of a sudden become a handful again. He was doing so good too. But a couple weeks ago, on a Friday, my son up and disappeared from his class. They had a substitute teacher and were going into another classroom and my son excused himself from the line and went to the computer lab. He didn’t tell anyone and he didn’t respond to “all calls” put out over the intercom for him. When they finally found him – he told them that he just didn’t want to work. He did it again a few days later. Then a couple days after that – he went to school and stole a child’s lunch. The child is a “special needs” child (that is all I was told) and my son traded this poor kid a starburst candy for his breakfast pizza. My son then tells the school that he is hungry and has no money. OMG you all – my son has cereal and pop tarts coming out of his ears at home. I don’t pay the school for breakfast because it isn’t cost effective for me to do so – NOT BECAUSE I CAN’T AFFORD IT. He is trying every nerve I have. We have talked with the school and have come up with a game plan to get a hold of my son – hopefully things will get better soon.

Ok – other than that – things are good. It has snowed here a couple times and I just love it when that happens. Well – except when I had to shell out a crap load of money for new tires because I was on racing slicks – lol!!

How is everyone out there is blogger land? Stop by and say “hey” sometime!!!

Happy Holidays (as Wal-Mart might say) to you all!!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!! And may the New Year be the best yet!!!!

Sperm washing???

I walked in on a conversation already in progress:

Lady#1 = “. . . so you need to tell them that the price does not include sperm washing – if we get the sperm from the sperm bank we don’t charge for the washing because it is already done”

(now – me being a sort of nosey person – I but in)

Me: “cuse me? What exactly is ‘sperm washing’”

Lady#1 = “well – if we are going to do an artificial insemination – we want to wash the sperm first – then you have to keep it warm until the patient is ready for the procedure”

Me – “so it is sort of like wanting the swimmers and not all the rest of the goo – right?”

Lady#1 – “Exactly”

Lady#2 – “So – do we collect that here or do they bring it in”

#1 – “well – it has to be warm – so they collect it here”

#2 – “can you tell me which room that is – I don’t want to be in that one”

#1 – “depends on which doc they see – could be any of the exam rooms”

(this leads to a lengthy discussion of how to get our husbands into that little room and what exactly they do in that room to –um- donate their sample for their wives)

Continued discussion:

#2 – “I still can not believe we wash sperm here – what do we use – baby soap so that it is gentle” (she was joking)

Me – “I was thinking more like antibacterial soap – wanna make sure the little swimmers are healthy”


***I will let you all go from there – our conversation turned many times and ended with Lady#2 telling us that she was licensed to do artificial inseminations on Cattle***

Have a good Friday!!!

Food Friday

Hello out there!!! Happy Friday!!!

I'm gonna post food again!!! lmao! This time it is a very yummy soup that you can throw together in the morning and come home to after a long day at work! You can substitute a lot of the ingredients with different things - like different meats or different kinds of beans - whatever you want!

Southwestern-style Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
Left over chicken, chopped into pieces
Chicken Broth to cover
1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 – 2 cups water
1 can dark red kidney beans, with liquid
1 bag frozen veggies (corn, carrots and green beans)
1 small can diced green chilies
½ cup diced onion
1 can tomato sauce
6 corn tortillas, minced
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
dash garlic salt


Combine all the soup ingredients in a crock pot over high heat. Be sure to mince the corn tortillas into tiny pieces. Let go all day and come home to a wonderful pot of yummy soup!!!

Thursday Thirteen

My hubby leaves tommarrow for his annual elk hunt. He goes to a mountain range about 2 hours from here and I never know when he is going to come back. The standard answer I get is “If you don’t hear back from me Sunday (9 days from now) – then you might worry”! PFFT But he enjoys the hunt and if he gets an elk – then we have a crap load of meat for the year!!!

So in honor of my hubby’s trip here is my Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen things I will be doing as a “hunting widow” (in no particular order)

1. Miss my honey! ***sniff sniff***

2. Make dinner for my dad and his – um – wife (aka troll doll) cuz I promised to

3. Avoid my dad and – um – troll doll for the remaining nites my honey is gone

4. Read the rest of a book I need to return to a lady I work with before my last day - lol

5. Play internet games with my son

6. Lose lots of sleep – I just don’t like it when he is gone **sniff**

7. Take my son to lunch!

8. Maybe watch some “chick flicks” or Reba movies and videos

9. Buy (and eat) a pint of Ben and Jerry’s – I never do that anymore and I LOVE that stuff

10. Do some foofoo girly stuff like a pedicure or bubble bath

11. Probably clean a bunch – I always end up doing that when I can’t sleep

12. Dye my hair and wait to see if my hubby notices – lol

13. Maybe re-do the window dressings in my dining room for fall colors

Food Friday

Ok – let’s see what I can come up with for today’s Food for Friday menu!

Let’s go with my Uncle Guy’s stew – I just love this and since it snowed here yesterday – it is definitely THAT time of the year for stew!

You’ll want your trusty dusty crock pot for this one!

1 to 2 pounds stew meat
Potatoes
Carrots
Canned or frozen corn
1 can of Beef broth
Onion soup mix – 1 envelope
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

Aside from the fact that this is freakin YUMMO – this is why I love this meal!

All you do – combine all the above ingredients (potatoes and carrots to your liking – or whatever fits in the pot). Set your crock pot on high and let her go! I throw this together in the morning and let it go while I am at work! I come home to an amazing smelling home and my dinner all ready for me!!! We serve this with bread or rolls.

ENJOY!!!

Thursday Thirteen

In honor of my last post and the fact that I am moving on from the OB/GYN office - I thought I would post Thirteen things I will not miss about my current job!!!

1. Smacktard
2. The damn incessant phone
3. Smacktard
4. hormonal pregnant woman
5. Smacktard
6. moody, picky doctors
7. Smacktard
8. the constant passing of the buck
9. Did I mention Smacktard?
10. hourly pay rate
11. Smacktard
12. Benefits
13. SMACKTARD, SMACKTARD, SMACKTARD

I think I need to enter therapy!!! LOL

SHARING

I GOT IT!!!

As most of you know – I work for an OB/GYN office and most of the time – I am not at all impressed with it.
Well – I started looking for another job several months ago. I applied with the local hospital for a billing position (as I have for over a year now) and on October 9th I finally interviewed with them! That was two and a half weeks ago. Then last Friday, I got a call from the hospital asking me if I was still interested in the position! OMG – YEAH!!! So she started the process of sending my application thru their Human Resources department. She said that she hoped to call me on Monday with news. That was four days ago.
Now on Monday – I had to go to the doctor because I have an awful chest cold (that the doctor later called bronchitis). On my way out the door – my boss pulls me in her office and asks me “Can you tell me why the hospital is calling me”. I FROZE you all. I just told her that I thought it was because they might be offering me a job. We got interrupted at that point and I ended up leaving for my appointment.
Fast forward to this morning! I GOT IT --- I GOT IT!!! They called me at 7:30 this morning!!! I am so freakin excited at this point! I will be making over $2 per hour more than I do right now, better benefits and a job that I will know what I am doing every day!!!

I am so excited! I just had to share!!!

Conversation at the OB/GYN office - VENTING

Ok – shitty telephone conversation with a dumb ass pregnant twat.

Me: “CWWC – how can I help you”

Twat: “I need to speak with my doctor or his nurse immediately – it’s an emergency”

Me: “ok ma’am – what’s your name and what is the emergency”

Twat: “my name is ‘twat’ and I am puking up my stomach acid and have a rash on my stomach”

k – I am now thinking – that isn’t an emergency – but I went back to find the nurse. She then tells me ‘hell no – I don’t want to talk to her’ – evidentally she is a real peach – they caught her in the emergency room with her boyfriend screwing on the exam table – yup – a real winner! She asks me to get a phone number and see if she can call her back in like 5 minutes.
So here is that conversation:

Me: “Ma’am – the nurse asked if I could grab a phone number that she could call you right back on”

Twat: “NO – I am puking and have a rash – what more do you need to know”

(I had some thoughts here but kept my cool)

Me: “ma’am the nurse is requesting - - - “

Twat (interrupting me and real shitty) “I am not at a number she can call back at - I am at work she can not call me here – where is my doctor”

Me: “Your doctor isn’t even back from surgery yet ma’am”

Twat: “Oh really” (like I was lying)

Me: “yes ma’am – now your nurse asked me if she could call you back”

Twat: “TELL HER I SAID NO”

Is that even an option??? I wouldn’t piss the nurse off but whatever floats your boat

Me: “ok ma’am – you are going to have to hold” and I hucked her on hold and went to the nurse and told her that her patient was a real bitch.

Here is the conversation I had on instant messenger with my bud in Vegas:

Me: . . . I'm so pissed right now I can't see straight
Crazy Lady: why?
Crazy Lady: what happened?
Me: f'ing patients - pregnant stupid patients
Me: I was just yelled at by one of them
Me: dumb twat - if you can not handle morning sickness - you shouldn't have spread your legs
Crazy Lady says: lmao
Me: I should blog this I really should

Food for thought Friday

Ok – I bummed this idea off my bestest bud in Vegas! I thought it was a great idea. (hey – she bummed it off someone else – so there!!! LMAO)

Food for thought Fridays!!!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!
(I love to cook – so getting new recipes is wonderful for me)

Here is what I made last nite (part of it is left over from Sunday’s din din)

History – Sunday nite we had a smoked chicken! If you have never done this – I highly recommend trying it! I bought a 5 lb chicken and smoke it over indirect heat (250 degrees) most of Sunday (7 hours) – it is the most amazing and juicy chicken EVER!!!

Anyway – we always have leftovers so last nite – I made a smoke chicken alfredo, over butter noodles.

Very simple:
One jar alfredo sauce (your choice)
Chopped pieces of left over smoked chicken
Heavy cream to dilute the sauce a bit

Heat sauce with chicken added. Boiled butter noodles. Serve together with some French bread and side of peas. (a salad would work too)

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Ok – as most of you know – I work for an OB/GYN office. As one could imagine – things can get pretty – um – well – interesting around here. So – in honor of the job I am not too excited to have here are

Thirteen things overheard at the OB/GYN office:

“This message says something about IUD strings . . . . “

“I will never stand between a pregnant lady and her restroom”

“Does it itch and burn”

“Is it coming out”

“I need guinea pigs – time to do quality control” – needing people to have their finger pricked to test one of the machines in the nurses station

“Time to get the I.V. poll and dance” – don’t ask – lmao

“Oh goodie – drug rep lunch time” – yeah, we’re spoiled with lunches – all so the drug reps can woo the docs

Phone call “Um – yes – I am 9 months pregnant and my contractions are about 5 minutes apart – what should I do” --- the funny part – I’m not allowed to tell her to go to the ER – the nurse has too

“I’m keeping the little swimmers warm and happy” – a nurse with artificial insemination sample in hand

“No – I am sorry ma’am, we do not sell Doctor Scholl’s here” – phone conversation with someone who misdialed our 800#

“Here is a very sweet, but free drink for you, think of it as the beer you can not have right now” – a nurse giving a glucola drink to a pregnant patient – the glucola is to test for gestational diabetes

“Um – where can I leave my ‘sample’ at” --- a pregnant patient who carried her urine sample out of the bathroom (where the little closet is to put it in)

“ah – smacktard – you have another phone call” (I had to add that one)

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I would rather be doing on my birthday than work:

Sleeping in

Getting a full body massage – omg those sooooooooooo rock!!!

Finishing the book I have been working on for MONTHS

Taking a long walk with the dog

Did I mention sleeping in

Watching “Reba” reruns

Trimming my rose bushes (there are a bunch of them)

Quilling – I need to get going on some Christmas stuff

Sitting on the back porch and drinking coffee

Having my way with my hubby ***blushes***

Playing any and all internet games on MSN or YAHOO

Cleaning the house

And most of all – I want to be able to go on the school field trip my son’s class is going on that he is not allowed to go on because my hubby or I can not get off work for the day. (I hate public schools)

Yeah – see – my son is not an angel child (I don’t know a 10 year old that is) – he gets in trouble for talking in class and being somewhat disruptive. And even though his behavior has improved – the school made an “executive decision” that my son can not go on the field trip to a mountain near here because he can not be “a first time listener”. Due to lack of volunteers and the fact that my hubby and I can not get out of work – my son gets to stay behind tommarrow (along with a few other kids) . PFFT on that – I hate having to work for a living!

Look out Vegas!!!

Race Tickets ============== $540.00
Camping at the track ========= $190.00
Spending 4 days at Las Vegas Motorspeedway ===== PRICELESS!!!

That’s right Vegas – Hold on to your pants!!!! We racked up the credit card bill last nite!!! We are coming to Vegas baby!!! March 8th thru 12th!!! We will be camped out at LVMS -- Hollywood RV lot, Row SPC, Space 182!!!! I live for this folks!!! This is the best experience EVER!!!
It will be me, my husband and our 10 year old son!!! Living and breathing fast cars and taking in the new track! I am so super excited!!!! (can you tell)

Someone just make it stop!!!!

I have totally had it folks - I am ready to quit my job and work at McDonald's. It hasn't gotten much better since yesterday and in fact - some parts are worse. Smacktard Asshat has become total and complete twat bitch and has completely tried to give me the cold shoulder. This is not a punishment if that is what she thinks - lol!!! I would rather never talk with or even see her again.
Anyway - she is still doing her same shit (with a crappier attitude) and still getting away with it. I tell you - if I have to hear one more f'ing personal conversation of hers I may just explode. Add in humming along with her music, ignoring the phone at work (well unless it is for her) and generally just whining about things - I am going nutso!!!!

I just realized that today is my 1 year anniversary here! HMMMM - maybe that is why I am in a crappy mood.

There is one shining moment in my day - something that made my afternoon!!! I have been applying with the local hospital for a year now - trying to get a job in their billing department or as a medical claims coder. I finally have an interview with them!!! WOOHOO!!! I am soooooooooooo completely excited!!! Please - pray for me -- this may be a shot at gaining my sanity back! My interview is Monday at 2pm!

Asshat!

Ok – I have blogged about this dumb ass before but I need to vent! If you haven’t read it yet – you can read the first installment under “Smacktard”.

We will consider this the second installment.

We will start with last Thursday. Smacktard didn’t come in at 9am like the rest of us working fools. She didn’t come in at 10am or 11am and we didn’t hear from her either. Come lunchtime – she finally decided to call here and say “I am sorry – I just woke up”. WTF????? The boss lady finally stood up and said something – she told her if she couldn’t bother to call before noon that she could just stay home that day! (Not ‘I’m sorry you f**k - you’ve done this too many times – you’re fired) So – needless to say – I REALLY enjoyed Thursday last week – lol!!! It was pretty quiet in here too!!! I loved it!!!
Ok – let’s move on to Friday. Smacktard was in a shitty mood – she had got her ass chewed and she was pouting. We all got to suffer for that. She was nothing short of a bitch. She left work at 1:30-ish (we get to leave early on Fridays) . After she left – I had to check our fax machine for something. Now part of what she is supposed to do is check the fax periodically throughout the day to ensure that things get to the doctors in a timely fashion. When I checked it – at 1:30 – there were faxes on that thing from before 9am that morning. One in particular was a set of records for one of the doctor’s new patients that he saw that morning and was looking for (but obviously never found). I was not happy. So I dealt with that instead of my own work. Then, when a lady in the back office was getting ready to leave around 2pm – she noticed a message left sitting on smacktard’s desk – IT WAS TAKEN AT 9:16AM THAT MORNING – aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You wanna know the best part??? It was an urgent message from a doctor’s office in Utah looking for a doc that wasn’t here on Friday. No chart was pulled, the doc on call wasn’t talked to about it – NOTHING WAS DONE. I was pissed. I about lost it you all – I swear! I had to call the office and apologize and see what they needed me to do. Turns out that they were seeing one of our patients that morning but by the time I called – that doc had left for the day.
Let’s fast forward to today. It’s Tuesday – yesterday was nothing out of the ordinary – same crap of listening to personal calls and her bitching about whatever. This morning tho – I had a phone call from a patient that tells me she dropped off some paperwork a few weeks ago and wanted to know if her doc finished it yet. I found the chart, filed away and the paperwork never even touched. One guess who did it???? I go to the boss lady and show her – and I get excuses – “oh – well you know – this could have happened or that could have happened”. I GIVE UP!!!!

WTF??? I swear – I am ready to buy a monkey and bring it to work – it could do a much better job than this twat!!!

My Monday

Ok – I just had a really good laugh and I wanted to share.

This laugh comes on the end of a really bad morning/afternoon. I have my hubby on my mind (he has been sick for over a month now and we are now waiting on test results to see what is wrong), then I hear about another school shooting in Lancaster County, PA – that is out where I was born and my grandmother still lives. Add to that – my ex-sister-in-law (who is a dear friend of mine) – is trying to deal with the break-up of her marriage, her daughter miscarried on Sunday. Needless to say – it hasn’t been a good morning.

I was sitting in another lady’s office here at work, talking about how to bill two different insurances when the patient doesn’t have maternity benefits on one plan and the other doesn’t start until November 1st – when this little gal comes around the corner with a paper towel covered, sterile urine collection cup. Now – being covered up with paper towel – I could only assume that it had been “used” (if you get my drift). She had come from the patient’s bathroom. Now, I don’t know how many doctor offices’ you have been in – but usually the patient bathroom has this not-so-inconspicuous cupboard in it – usually gray steel – that we all know is the “leave your sample here” place. This poor lady could not figure it out. She was coming around the corner with it in her hand – hopefully to ask where to put it (we cut her off and turned her around). I can not imagine that she would have gone to the lobby with it – but I am not ruling that out either.
What does that say? Then I come to find out that she is pregnant and just not at all sure how far along she is.

***sigh*** Ok – so goes the life in the OB/GYN office!!! Just had to share!!!

***THIS JUST IN ------- I just answered the phone and I kid you not - the woman on the other end says "Hi this is D from Dr. Pepper's office" - She was freaking serious!!! There is actually a Dr. Pepper out there folks!!! LOL

Thursday Thirteen

Okie dokie – I am gonna try my hand at this Thursday Thirteen thing!!! LOL (suggestions for future additions will be greatly appreciated)

Thirteen places that I have visited

1. Pennsylvania = that’s the furthest away from my home that I have been. I have family in Lancaster and in Alexandria, VA. I love the history of Pennsylvania and I am hoping to be able to take my hubby and son back there someday!!!
2. Washington D.C. = I enjoyed DC too – sooo much to do!!! The Air and Space museum is amazing and all the monuments – I just love it!!!

3. Cheyenne, WY = I guess it was more than a visit – I lived there for a short period of time but we do go back to visit now and again!

4. Denver, CO = We have been a couple times. Once to go to an amusement park and again to see a Reba concert! Course – we drive thru it on our way to Cheyenne too!!! We want to go back – this time to see the Bass Pro Shop – is that too redneck – lmao!!!

5. Glenwood, CO = I love it there!!! It is fun!!! There is a little bar by the hot springs pool that we go and have an amazing prime rib dinner – really!!! Haven’t been in the pool tho – no one needs to see me in a bathing suit – lol

6. Ouray, CO = soooooooooo cute!!! I wanna go back to it! They call it “The Switzerland of the US” – it is small but it is fun!!! Box Spring Falls is so pretty and you can hike up to the top and feed the squirrels – it is fun!!!

7. Deadwood, SD = we did that this past summer! How fun! An old time gambling town where Wild Bill was shot and killed. Full of western history – it is cool! I would like to go back again sometime!

8. Laguna Beach, CA = we used to go there when we were kids! I loved that! We would go to “Hotel Laguna” and sit on the patio, eat and watch the sun set! Very cool memories from there!

9. Los Angeles, CA = I have been there a few times for Disneyland – does that count?

10. Tijuana, Mexico = what an experience that was – lmao!!! Bartering and watching your back – what could be better!!! I did have fun tho!!!

11. Beaver, UT – lmao – I really wouldn’t say that I visit there on purpose – but I have been there. We tend to stop there for gas everytime we go to Vegas.

12. Phoenix, AZ = I haven’t been there in years but I would go when I was in school – I think the last time I was there was for a Phantom of the Opera concert!

13. Las Vegas, NV = I go there at least once a year – but not for what a lot of people visit for! We go for 4 to 5 days in March to camp at the track and watch as many fast cars as humanly possible!!! NASCAR weekend in Vegas – I love it!!! (plus I get to visit with my bestest bud – it’s GREAT)!!!!

Earplugs!!!

Can I tell you that I just love my bestest bud in Vegas. I have known her since elementary school. We have always been there for each other and for that I am forever thankful! She has helped me thru a lot (whether she knows it or not) and she always makes me smile.

That leads me to this post! A week or so ago – I went on a rampage (well on MSN messenger – but still) about the dumb ass smacktard I work with. Come to find out – the twat is pregnant. I do not necessarily agree with her decision – she is 20, unable to support herself as she went and applied for food stamps and her boyfriend is unable to maintain a job. But the best part (yes – that is sarcasm) has become listening to her dumb ass on the phone – telling people her joyous news and explaining what she puked this morning and what it tasted like (I am not joking). I went off – I was so ready to jam a pen in my ear.

Fast forward to yesterday. I get a phone call from my hubby telling me that I have a package from Vegas. I was so excited! When I finally got home last nite and opened my package – I just died laughing! Inside this manila envelope were several little packages of - - - - - any guesses????? EARPLUGS!!! LMAO – it was so freakin funny!!! I poured them on the table and my hubby is standing there with this look like “why in the hell are earplugs so funny” on his face. I explained my ‘issue” at work and he just shook his head – the part he found funny was that we call her a smacktard. LOL!!!

Thank you my bud – you made my day!!!! I love ya girl!!!

Mondays

Ok ya'll - this is in response to my bestest friend's recent post on how much she enjoys Monday (yes that is sarcasm you note) - lol
You can check out her blog at Crazy Lady in Vegas

This is exactly how I look at most Mondays - lmao!!!

Kinda says it all doesn't it?????

Defining moments

Ever have a defining moment? I just did.

I am sure now, more than ever, that I completely hate my job and will step up efforts to find another one.

I am supposed to be doing insurance billing. I was originally hired to do phones on a couple days a week and help clean up insurance issues on the other days. Then I was moved to the front desk to check-in patients for a couple months and then finally into what I thought was to concentrate on cleaning up the outstanding claims that are on the system and deal with insurance companies. I have yet to be able to spend an entire day doing that. Instead, I end up answering the telephone 80% of my work days and on Tuesdays - I get the inexplicable joy of spending 3+ hours at check-out. Add to that - the total feeling that they are doing me a favor and the lack of respect and I am just fed up. HELL - The dumb twit I call "Smacktard" gets more respect and gets to f**k off all day without getting in trouble - what does that say?

Along with that - I have offered, on many occasions, to spend a couple hours on the weekends matching insurance vouchers to copies of claims so that we can weed out our claim drawer for what is truly outstanding. I have been repeatedly told no - we will find another way and that I don't need to be spending my weekend doing that. (translation = we don't want to pay you for that) All the while it is piling sky freakin high.

The defining moments:

1 - I walked thru the office to get a phone call to someone else and when I was walking back to my desk (and hearing the phone ring off the hook) - I watched several people (including my boss) ignore the f'ing thing. Oh hell no - if I have to answer the damn thing - so do they.

2 - One of the ladies here (who I really do love to pieces) - is taking home patient statements this weekend to fold them and stuff them into envelopes to mail out on Monday. UMMMMM - I thought that was a big fat no no.

And then add an increasing irritation with smacktard. She talks on the phone with personal calls more than she does her job. She sits at the desk on the other side of a wall from me and hums along with her music (therefore making my ears hurt and me want to jam something in them). Yes - I think I have several issues with this one - I will be the first to admit it. But it totally erks me that this 20 year old, never held an office job in her life, twat can come in late and not call to let them know, can talk endlessly on the phone to whomever she feels like bitching about her boyfriend to and no matter how many times someone says something - she still does it and to top it off - she walks around here like she is the top f'ing shit. I got news for the dumb ass - she is far, far from top shit.

Anyway you all - I have had my defining moments and am now going to surf the local paper online for job opportunities! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

I'm in a mood

Ok folks – I am gonna use my blog for what I originally started it for – just spilling my thoughts. Bare with me or find another blog to read – whatever works for you.

I haven’t been feeling myself lately and by lately – I mean over a year now. Some days are better than others and today is one of those days that I would like to crawl under a rock and disappear. I don’t know if it is exhaustion or depression – but I don’t like it.

Here are some of the things happening in my life – you decide.

A year ago now – my husband and I were having the worse time in our marriage. I had been lying about our finances, making him think things were peachy when they were far from it. I thought I was headed toward divorce. We have since worked through that and are stronger than ever before. But that is where I think this deep seeded feeling of nothing being right started.
Lately – it is much worse. Now I can still put on a happy face around my family and make it seem that I am happy and enjoying life. I can not seem to do that anywhere else and the times I am putting on that damn face are getting harder and harder. I used to have so much fun at work – now it is all I can do to make it through 8 hours without hurting someone or making a comment to get me fired. What the hell???
I am stuck in a mood I suppose. There are a lot of things on my mind lately and maybe this is all stress – hell, I was in a horrible stress situation a year ago too. Things on my mind range from the divorce my sister-in-law is going through to my son’s performance at school. The biggest thing on my mind lately is the fact that my husband hasn’t been feeling well for over two weeks. Now usually this isn’t a problem – we all get sick – right? But for some reason – this feels different. He has had this pain right under his breastbone – it isn’t a pain like you touch it and scream – it is more like an annoyance that isn’t going away. Now he thinks his abdomen is swollen on the right side. He actually called me at work the other day and had me make him a doctor’s appointment. This from a man who, well like most men, refuses to admit he needs a doctor. He has an appointment on Tuesday, unless this gets worse and then I will be calling the doctor and calling it whatever they need me to in order to get him in asap.

I don’t know you all – I really don’t. I can tell you that I am not PMS’ing – that was a week+ ago. I am sure that if I can ever get some sleep – that I will feel better – right? I do have an appointment for a check-up next month. That is an appointment I have put off for probably three years now but that is a whole other story.

**sigh** I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for “listening”.

I am gonna jam something in my ear

OMG you all! I have had it.

Now - maybe it is because I am on the rag - who knows - but I am pissy beyond pissy today. My day starts with a commute full of people that I am not at all sure should be allowed behind the wheel of a vehicle. The best one this morning? This guy in a beat up pickup. I am driving behind him and he slows WWWWAAAAAYYYYY down in the school zone we are passing thru. I'm thinking "good for him - he's paying attention". That gets shot to pieces when we finish the school zone and he picks up speed on his way to the approaching yellow light. What does he do when it changes to red? Does he stop? HELL NO - why would you do that? It was red when he hit it and he continued right thru it. What a dumb ass. I truly think most of the town I live in needs a reality check and should have to pass their drivers ed classes again.

Anyway - I brush that off and continue to work. Today is Friday and our early release day! I am expecting the last of my couches to be delivered today. (that is a totally different story - long story short? purchased these couches at the beginning of July - just now getting the last of them - well *fingers crossed* we are).

I get to work and the first thing that happens is that I am hit with the worse cramps I have had in a long ass time. They are the kind that feel like someone has taken my uterus and twisted it like you would a drenched towel to remove the water from it. I am doubled over you all - and ready to cry. So I am sitting at my desk and keeping to myself.

Wellllll - what happens next? Smacktard comes to work. (For the full story on her - check for my previous post called "Words to Live By"). She is getting on my nerves more and more every freaking day. Today (again - on my period here people and not in the mood) - she comes to work, talks up the boss lady (and btw gets more respect from the boss then I do and I DO NOT understand that). After talking with the boss for a good deal of time - she comes over to the desk on the other side of the wall from me and jumps of the f'ing phone. Evidentally there is a wedding this weekend of one of her little friends and she has to coordinate the drinking and such. She is giggling and laughing and planning and generally making my ears hurt. So what do I do? I crank up my radio cuz I don't want to hear her dumb ass. Well - she gets louder. So - in the interest of keeping my job - I bite my tongue and start typing this blog. It is the only thing keeping me from going over there and bitch slapping her.

(((SIGH))) It is almost over --- right? And it is a holiday weekend - so that is a plus! (I'm trying to look at the positives here)