Saturday, March 31, 2007

I should be doing housework...

...but I'm not. LOL Good Morning and Happy Saturday to you. It's been a stressful week but that's all behind me now, so I look forward to a peaceful and relaxing weekend.
The week started out just fine. Work was good, we continue to make progress in dragging our asses out of the big hole and had another successful "sell-off" with the government dude. Wednesday morning I dropped my car off at the service station to get the thermostat replaced and pretty much waited all day for them to let me know when my car would be ready. By 3PM I still had not heard anything so I called. I was informed by Roger, the service manager, that he had tried calling me twice around 9:30 and the receptionist would not put my call through, nor would she take a message. While they were working on my car, they noticed the timing belt needed to be replaced and a few other things that were not under warranty as well. Since they won't proceed until they have authorization from me, my car sat in the bay all day waiting. I gave them permission to make the necessary repairs and then went straight to my manager to find out why my calls had not been put through. I can count on one hand how many personal phone calls I have received in the 4+ years I have worked there. It appears that Ms Receptionist is tired of doing her job. Answering the phone and rerouting calls must not be in her job description. We are not allowed to have our cell phones on the production floor, so from now on I guess I will have give everyone my managers extension so he can disrupt his busy day and find me.
Anyway...I called my dad and asked him to pick me up at work and he dropped me off at the service station. My car ended up not being ready until 7PM and I never got home until almost 8. Poor Roger kept apologizing, but it is clearly not his fault. I'm just happy they were able to get the job done so I didn't have to go without a car for another day.

Yesterday, I went for the dreaded Pulmonary test at the hospital. It wasn't as bad as I thought, mostly a series of breathing tests done on a machine that measures lung function and how the oxygen is filtered through the bloodstream, etc. I was stressing about this all week because I had no idea what was involved and was only told the test would take between 90 minutes to 2 hours. The only reason it takes so long is they give you a break after every series of tests. Also, after running all the tests, they gave me a treatment of albuterol on the nebulizer, then had to wait 30 minutes before repeating a few of the original tests. It went by fairly quickly and I will know the results when I see my doctor again in a couple of weeks.

After I left the hospital, I went to visit my parents for a bit and then ran a few errands. I picked Cal up at work and we went to Applebees for a salad. (Santa Fe chicken salad...yum yum) We talked about going to a movie but since he was yawning all during dinner, I really didn't want to have to elbow him during the movie while he snored...so I dropped him off at home so he could go to bed. It was an early night for me but I was pretty tired myself. My bed felt great, let me tell you! I slept like a baby, didn't get up until 8:30 this morning.

I still have to go to the post office and get groceries today. Sara will be home sometime this afternoon so I should get my errands done before she shows up. It looks to be a really nice day outside. Hopefully it will warm up a bit. It's only reading 45F right now. But the sun is out so that makes everything good. There is no snow left in my back yard and only a little left in the front where the plow piled it up on the side of the driveway. I can't wait for the trees to start budding. It looks so barren out there.

I hope you are enjoying a nice weekend. Can you believe Easter is only a week away?
Catch you all later.

Lainie

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Time for a new post

Hello all. It's Saturday afternoon, and I am exhausted but decided to take some time and drop a few lines here. Actually I am too lazy to get out of my chair.

I had a fairly good week, work was busy but good. We all got a pat on the back on Wednesday for kicking some butt and making a huge dent in our backlog, and if things keep up, we should be out of the hole in a couple of months. We've been a month behind in our shipments due to a parts shortage way back in September but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I have no immediate plans for a vacation, but I would really like to utilize some of my 80+ vacation hours sometime this summer. I haven't been on a real vacation since June of 2005 when I went to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona for 10 days. I think I'm due.

The only bump in the road this week was Monday. I went to the doctor's for a follow up on my thyroid and all is fine. Nothing has changed in 4 years. The thyroid levels are a little up but not worthy of meds or surgery. We're just going to keep an eye on things. Blood pressure is good too, but now he is focusing on the asthma. He feels the meds are not controlling it as he would like so now I have to go for a pulmonary test on Friday and see how that goes. It measures lung function and will give him an idea on how to proceed. I've had uncontrolled asthma for many years but I have been feeling much better since he put me on new meds back in November. However, he could still hear wheezing when he listened to my lungs. I swear I was feeling great before my appointment, so I think I am having some major anxiety issues. All I know is I am sick of going to the doctors office every few weeks and that is the number one reason why I put off or cancel appointments alot. I'm already trying to think up an excuse to cancel this one.

Last night I went to see Wild Hogs at the movie theater. It was really an enjoyable movie with John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H Macy, all playing middle aged guys with motorcycles who go on a road trip to get away from the stress in their lives. The soundtrack is awesome, if you like classic rock. Can't wait to add that one to my collection. I will probably buy the DVD too when it comes out because it is a movie I can watch many times over. It was a good laugh, a lot of fun. After the movie, we went out for a drink at a nearby watering hole. Not my normal hangout, for sure. We were about to turn around and go right back out when this guy, a bouncer I think, noticed our trepidation and convinced us that no one in there bites. LOL So we grabbed a stool and ordered a drink. No fist fights broke out but we left after one drink. We both had to work this morning anyway.

So...today I got up and went to work, stayed there til 11:30 and then ran my errands. I went to Wally World and picked up Elliot Yamin's CD and a couple of new tee shirts. I also grabbed a new cordless phone and some cheapo drinking glasses. Then I proceeded to the hair salon and got my hair cut. I told her to hack 6 inches off the length but I am not sure she took off that much. My bangs are a little too short but there's nothing I can do about it now except wait for them to grow back in. Good thing my hair grows pretty fast. After that, I went to the grocery store and picked up a few things for the week. I am going to make a pot roast tomorrow in the crock pot. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
My work week is over, everything is put away, Elliot is singing, (I really am enjoying this CD, he's got a really nice voice), the phone is charging, and I am seriously thinking about getting up off my bum and doing some vacuuming and dusting.
I know there are other things I need to do but I don't want to tire myself out. I've got all day tomorrow too.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

Me

Friday, March 16, 2007

Snowed In For The Weekend

Mother Nature must be really pissed. Just 2 days ago we were enjoying 70 degree weather and today it's 20 and we are in the midst of another Nor'Easter. Oh happy day!
It started snowing around 2PM and I would guess there's about 3-4 inches of snow on the ground already. I left work at 3 and driving was HORRIBLE! The roads were slick but what is worse is people who drive just way too fast in this type of weather, trying to get home as fast as possible. They only slow everyone down when they slide off the road or crash into someone else and that just makes it impossible for everyone. I made the 22 mile commute home unscathed but it took me 45 minutes and I saw 4 vehicles off the road and a couple of accidents involving 2 or more vehicles. The latest weather reports are calling for 8-12 inches of snow before it turns to rain sometime tomorrow, ending by mid day. Needless to say, I am staying put for the night. I stopped at the grocery store and picked up the necessities, (milk, bread and Diet Coke), and the fixin's for my St. Patrick's Day dinner. I'll cook the corned beef and cabbage tomorrow since I won't be going anywhere.

Cyndie and I have decided to go to the movies another time. We were going to go see Wild Hogs this evening but neither one of us wants to be on the roads tonight. We'll try again next Friday.

My week has been a long one. I'm not sure if it is the time change or the hours at work catching up with me but I have been really tired all week. I never have been bothered by the time changes before but I really had a difficult time getting my butt out of bed every morning this week. I am soooo looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning and if I have it my way, I am not getting up til 9 or 10AM.

I was coming out of the Post Office on Wednesday and noticed what I thought was dirt on my car, just to the left of the center on the hood right above the front grill. I realized as I got closer that it wasn't dirt, but a lovely dent. My license plate took a bit of a hit too as it was scratched and the plastic frame around it was cracked. All I can assume is someone backed into my car while it was parked and then drove off. This could have happened anywhere, work, the grocery store, the bank, Applebees...I really don't know because I am not sure when it even happened. I am not in the habit of walking around my entire car and inspecting it everytime I park it somewhere. All I can say is some people suck. I realize my car is 5 years old but this is the first brand spanking new car I have ever bought in my whole life, and I work hard to keep it clean and nice looking. I have a $500 deductible and I don't think it will cost a lot more than that to fix the damage although I haven't had an estimate done yet. Either way, the repairs are going to come out of my pocket and that really rattles my chain.

The wind is howling outside now but it sure does look pretty with the snow all over the pine trees. I'm just glad I am inside and not out there. I wasn't hungry when I got home but I am now so I am going to make something for dinner.
See Ya!

Lainie

Sunday, March 11, 2007

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Good Morning!
I hope you all remembered to turn your clocks ahead an hour, because I didn't. I just now figured out that I am an hour behind. Good thing I didn't have to be anywhere this morning.

Went out last night with Cyndie and we had a great time. We ended up watching a movie at her house and then went out to Applebees for dinner. Even at 8:00 we had to wait 15 minutes for a table. Dinner was excellent and then we hopped over to a local bar for a couple of drinks. I dropped her off back at her house around 11:45 and headed home. I think we're going to go see a movie on Friday evening...probably Wild Hogs with John Travolta and Tim Allen. It looks like it could be pretty funny.

It is so sunny and nice outside, I have my furnace shut off and a window open. It is supposed to stay in the 50's for the next few days so hopefully that will get rid of most of the snow in the yard. We had some rain last night which also helped with the melting. After being in a deep freeze for the last week, I am loving this. I may take a walk later but I don't plan on doing a whole lot today. I worked 59 hours last week and this is my day to lounge around and watch some movies. I have already cleaned the bathroom so I don't want to overdo it, you know.

Cal has someone going over to his place today to try to fix his computer. I personally think it's fried and he should just bury it. That dinosaur has seen better days, in fact, he's still running Windows98. When I saw that...all I could do was make the sign of the cross over it and say, "May you rest in peace." He wasn't amused. LOL

Sara was home yesterday and she wanted my opinion on which picture she should put in her college yearbook. They all came out really nice and we narrowed it down to two, then disagreed on which one to use. There isn't much difference between the two, so either one is fine. I'll scan and post them so you can see.

She also told me all about the date she had the other night with Brad. Brad??? Who the heck is Brad?? What happened to Travis?? I was shocked to find out she and Travis, her boyfriend of almost 2 years, had broken up 3 weeks ago. Don't these kids tell their mothers anything anymore? I don't know how she expects me to keep up if she keeps me in the dark. LOL Anyway, she hasn't been very happy for the last few months and I know Travis can be a bit rigid and controlling, and she was starting to feel like she was always the one who had to change plans or drop everything so they could spend some time together. He goes to college 2 hours north of here and he never seemed to want to drive down here to see her...it was always her going up there. So she broke up with him, and has been having a ball participating in school events, which I think is a good thing because she's only got a couple months left so she may as well enjoy it to the fullest. Reality sets in after graduation, baby, so have a blast NOW!

The sun is shining very brightly and I can see all the dust on the tv and entertainment center, so I better get my butt off here and take care of that. I hope the weather is nice where you are. Have a lovely Sunday!


Sara's Yearbook Photos

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Baby it's cold outside!

Ok this below zero crap has got to stop. It's March already, where's the dang sun anyway? It's been below zero for the last three mornings and today it only got up to 8 degrees F as a high. The weatherman just said to expect up to -30F tonight with wind chill. I am glad I have no plans to go outside this evening. My car wasn't too happy about starting this morning and it's going to be even more miserable tomorrow. I certainly hope this is the last of the cold. It's time for some warmer weather.

I've been working late every night this week so by the time I get home, I eat and shower and it's time to sit in front of the tv for an hour before I fall asleep. I left work earlier today but got my taxes done so that's one more thing out of the way. I am getting a decent return back but I expect this will be the last time since I won't be able to claim Sara as a dependant next year. I am going to start having payroll take some additional money out of my check so I can be sure I overpay and get some money back. It's hard for me to save money week to week so I normally bank my entire return every year. I've never been one of those people who look forward to their return so they can splurge on all the things they have wanted all year. A few of my friends have already been on shopping sprees and have blown their entire return. I'll ask them a month from now what they spent it all on and I bet they won't be able to tell me.

I watched last week's Jericho episode on On Demand last night and wow...it's really getting good. I missed last night's episode but plan on catching that this weekend also on On Demand. Gotta love Comcast. LOL I have been keeping up with Survivor through On Demand too...since American Idol has had my full attention Tues. Wed. and Thurs. I have to say, I was not that impressed with the contestants in the beginning but I certainly am now. A few of them have really come into their own so to speak, and I am making an early prediciton that Melinda will come out the winner.
She really is my personal favorite. She's so humble and she seems surprised that people like her, every week. I think that girl is ready to become a star right now.

I was not able to get to Maine last weekend as planned, but I am hoping to get up there in 2 weeks. The roads weren't bad on Saturday morning but they were predicting snow for Saturday night into Sunday and I didn't want to take the chance of getting caught in that. I don't mind driving in snow when I have to, but when I don't have to...I'd rather stay put. You get my drift...I am sure. LOL

I am spending this Saturday morning working and Saturday evening I am going to hang out with my friend Cyndie. Her husband is away at some training school for the National Guard and it's my turn to keep her company. We're not quite sure what we're going to do but it will include a movie and food and drinks, although not necessarily in that order. However, if we start off drinking...we may as well stay in and cook dinner and watch a movie cos neither one of us will be in any condition to drive. I am sure we will figure out something.

Time for me to hit the shower. I hope you are all having a good week. Stay warm!

Lainie

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Welcome to March

March 1st and it was a really nice day here today. 43 degrees, sunny and just plain spring like. However...tomorrow we are going to return to winter in a very nasty way. Another Nor'Easter coming up the coast and this time I think we are really in for it. Forecasts of late are calling for anywhere from 6 inches to a foot before changing over to sleet and freezing rain. This storm has a lot of moisture attached to it and depending how it tracks, the ski areas could get up to 2 feet of new snow in the next 24 hours. Thankfully I live a couple hours south of the ski areas. However, I am not a big fan of freezing rain. Knowing the storm will start out as snow during the night tonight, I am not too concerned with getting to work in the morning. But coming home is not going to be pretty. Of course, even with all the latest high tech equipment, the weather forecasters can only predict so much, so I guess I am going to keep a wait and see attitude. I'll get up in the morning and see what's on the ground, before making my decision. But a snow day sounds really good, especially for a Friday!
Of course this storm is also putting a huge dent in my weekend plans. I just talked to Rick in Maine and they are naturally going to get the same storm but hours after it hits here. They are also forecasting a lot of snow up in his area and a change over to sleet during Friday night. That means the roads might not be very good to be travelling on Saturday morning. I guess I am going to have to call there Saturday morning before heading out because no matter how much I love those guys, I am not going to get stuck on some ice covered road in the middle of Maine, or worse yet, end up in a ditch off the road.

I have been enjoying American Idol this season and I have picked my Top 6 favorites. I really liked Jared, Phil and Blake this week for the guys, and Melinda, Lakisha and Sabrina for the girls. I think the guys did way better than the girls this week, and I had a hard time picking just three guys. I love Chris Sligh's voice but not a fan of his personality. And I think Chris Richardson has great appeal and will do well.
I am anxious to see who will be voted off tonight.

I've got a ton of things to do before 8 so I better get off here and get moving.

Hope you are all having a good week.