June 26, 2005
sorry about that...
I would like to apologize to those who tried to sign into my guestbook and found that has been hijacked...again.
I do believe that I'm just going to blow it away, as it seems to be the one thing that I don't check often, so I never know how long its been that way.
I would also like to say to the joker that has done this... get your own damn site! stop picking on mine.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled day...
June 25, 2005
LIfe goes on :)
Okay so its been a month...doesn't seem to make a difference, no one reads this thing anyway 
I've been fairly busy this month with work. I recieved an offer to do on-site training for a vendor who is based in Houston. They need someone who can teach the software I've been certified to teach that can go anywhere in the country... pretty much at a moments notice. I spent 4 days in Dallas doing this.
My hotel room looked out over the West End of Dallas. Right in front of the hotel was the Book Depository. Yup, I was that close to the actual spot of the most infamous shooting of a prominent person... But since I was working every day while I was there, I wasn't able to do any sightseeing...maybe next time.
I've also been contacted about doing additional training with another vendor, but that was 2 weeks ago and I haven't heard back from them...I get the feeling that I won't. I don't really see the need for me to track them down to find out what happened. I mean they contacted me, right? Why should I call them...I told them what I needed from them to be able to do this training, and its nothing that I shouldn't be able to ask for...if they feel the need to not work with the restrictions I've placed...well then, its their loss of income, not mine.
However, I have been contacted again about a 9-5 job in DC for a law firm...one of the top 3 firms in the US. There are actually 2 positions there that this recruiter wants to submit me for...one is for training and one is for an administrator...I can do either.
So, I'm sitting here trying to decide if I want to give up the Independent life and go back to a 9-5 job...
I'm really starting to lean toward the 9-5 thing. I love being able to do what I want and when I want to...but I would rather do it when I don't have people screaming at me about bills I shouldn't have had to pay in the first place...but that's another rant for another time. Maybe, as my wonderful husband put it, I can do the 9-5 thing for a year or so and then re-evaluate things.
In other news... we get to game today! Its only been a month since we've gotten together, but it feels like sooo much longer. We are getting ready to start a new RPG, and I've got my ideas ready to roll...easy background too.
Anyway, its time to poke the husband to see if he's ready to start working on moving stuff around.
TTYL!!!
May 26, 2005
Oh, the Insanity :)
My husband really likes Jeeps...the older the better. We lost the first one to misfortune...and we just picked up another one last fall.
Now, most of you would think Jeep = Wrangler or Grand Cherokee...not my husband...his is a CJ7. That's Scrambler to those out there that don't know. God knows I didn't before I met my husband.
Anyway, these Jeeps are like collectible cards in the hands of little kids..."Ill trade you two of these for one of those" kinda thing.
When we had the other Jeep, we would come out of {insert random place like home, mall, restaraunt here} only to find that someone had left their name, number and the price they were willing to pay for this classic machine...
It hasn't happened in a while, and until today, not with this Jeep...that's changed now...some kind person actually printed (with a printer) a message and put it in one of those clear plastic slip covers...and then stuck it on the Jeep.
I think its cute... I wonder if these people realize how much they would really need to fork over to get him to sell...
I haven't heard of this kind of thing happening with any other vehicle model out there...must really be a Jeep Thing!
He's seriously thinking about opening a Jeep Museum...silly boy!
Oh well, I love him anyway...
Whee!
Wow! 2 posts in a month...maybe I'm getting back to the point of being able to post every day...
Things have been busy. The independent consulting has been going well, and I'm more relaxed than I have been in years.
I put in an application at Barnes & Noble, just for evening work for a while and for the security that comes with a steady paycheck...I just heard back from them today to set up an interview for this weekend...wish me luck!
I also had a call from a recruiter...offering me a possible position in DC paying that 6 figure salary...now all I need are the dancing men 
It might not pan out, but I think I'm going to be hopeful...now all I have to do is decide what to do about the B&N job.
May 04, 2005
LIfe goes on...
There is a saying "When one door closes, another opens". Seems to fit with my situation these days.
I had a new job, one that I thought was going fairly well, until they decided that we just weren't a good fit (me and the company). So, I'm on my own again employment-wise.
Thing is... I've gotten two different offers that fit with the independent consultant hat I've taken back up 
I've just gotten one proposal signed, and as for the other...I just need to show them that I can actually teach the classes. I would get to travel, meet new people, and do it on my schedule...which means that I can spend time at home with the hubby, and go back to school if I want.
Life is to short to spend 20 hours a day on the job...especially when it doesn't pay a 6 figure salary and come with dancing men!
I do wish the company well. As you can see from the calls coming in, I have no reason to be vindictive or nasty. At some point I might even consider doing contract work for them.
Well, its getting late, and I'm getting tired...so I think its off to bed with me.
'Nite!
April 14, 2005
We will see...
Well, I thought it had stopped, turns out I was wrong. What is it with people and the need to poke at other people.
I tried leaving the messages and trackbacks open again...I got hit with those #$#@ poker sites again.
This time I sent a request to the site's admin asking for help. I'm hoping that it will help, but I'm willing to bet my next paycheck that I will end up on 6 million (or so) new email address spam lists. I hope not, and I really hope the admin for the site helps to stop it.
Yargh!!!!
That being said, How's the rest of the world???
January 18, 2005
Yikes!
Wow!
Its the middle of January already. Hard to believe, isn't it? What makes it worse is the bloody weather around here...Thursday was warm enough to wear short sleeves, and today its 12 degrees. They are calling for 
tomorrow. No wonder people get sick in the winter... its not the cold, but the changing from warm to cold every other day.
This year I decided not to do the "official" Resolution list... I never follow them anyway. We, my hubby & I, have decided what we need to do this year..., you know...the basics:
1. Clean up the Credit Report
2. Organize the files
3. Organize our lives
4. Get in shape
5. Quit smoking
Now for any of you that have actually tried to do any of the things listed above, you know they are huge undertakings. So Rafe decided to try a different approach to this. Break everything up into really small steps. Presumably, by December 30, 2005, all of the steps will be covered and we will be able to put cool things on our resolution list for 2006 (like a trip overseas), not the same things from this year.
Other things going on right now is the job hunt for Rafe, and my crazy hours. That would be the biggest disadvantage to working for a brand-new start up company. I'm really not complaining I do love my new job. I love not having to drive into DC every day, I love not having to deal with stupid people every day (both on the road and in the office). I love being able to work from home most days of the week, and when I need to head into the office, its not in DC so it doesn't take me 3 hours to get there (ok, so its an exaggeration of the time, but not by much). I like my boss, and the other 2 employees in the company.
Yes, I didn't mistype. There are only 4 people on the payroll. I love it, everyone knows what they need to do, and they do it. There are no slackers in this joint.
Anyway, I need to run...before the laptop blue screens again!
December 23, 2004
Its been crazy!
I may have mentioned that I started working for a new consulting company that's starting up here in the DC area...I don't think I mentioned just how much work needs to be done for it... it means I spend quite a bit of time staring at my computer screen trying to figure out wher these email addresses and websites need to get put into spreadsheets, I need to re-configure and occasionally create new training manuals, meet with prospective clients and deal with my new boss (who's a bit ADD).
On top of that, there is the holiday season. Which we always try to do something for. This year, I was able to afford a plane ticket for my brother (who's stationed in Kentucky 
) to fly out for Christmas. We had been unable, due to Rafe's work schedule, to make it down to Mom's for Thanksgiving to see him. And with the threat of him being shipped of to God only knows where next, I wanted to be able to spend more than a few hours with him.
So I get my little brother for Christmas. Mom isn't able to make it up due to a recent knee surgery, and Dad and his new wife (Linda) are snowbound up near Ohio. So its just going to be the three of us! I'm soo happy. Not about them being snowbound, but getting to spend time with my brother
Its been a long time since I was able to put presents under the tree, and still be able to shell out the funds for a plane ticket, and decorate the house, and still have money in the bank. Its about damn time!
There have been bad/sad things that have happened around us this month...
Rafe is getting laid-off at the end of the year (looong story, and fairly boring to those who don't know us)
A friend was just diagnosed with late stage 1 cervical cancer (We are praying for you! )
Another friend just lost her grandfather and one of her cats. Yes, to some people loosing a pet doesn't compare, but to some people (myself included) a pet can be, and is, a family member and it hurts just as much. Love and hugs to you guys from both of us.
Anyway... I have to go make sure that everything is ready (cleaned up around here) before I leave to pick my brother up from the airport.
I will try to post again tomorrow 
Happy Holidays to you (whichever holiday it might be! )
November 25, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Its supposed to be a time of remembering what you are thankful for, not for early Christmas sales!
The thought for the day: Never get cigarete ash in another man's turkey
We live in an apartment complex (I've probalby mentioned this before), and we are on the top floor. I went out of the balcony this morning and noticed that the family on the first floor decided to deepfry their turkey this year... the contraption is setup on thesidewalk behind the building. Now, given the number of injuries that are sustained each year by these contraptions, I'm seeing this thing and thinking that we could potentially have a turkey rocket for our entertainment this year 
Well, my prepartions need to be started so we can have dinner this evening... one day out of the year where I start cooking dinner before I have lunch... Although, I'm going to be doing this again for Christmas.
Well, Happy turkey day to everyone. Remember your blessings, and forget your sorrows for the day...they will still be there later and today is one for fun.
November 11, 2004
Peek-A-Boo!!!
I wonder if anyone is still looking here to see if I exist???
From the last post you could tell that I quit my job, and life has been busy ever since
Suffice it to say that things have been up and down in the last 7 months, and with me trying to work most of the hours that were put in a day, I haven't really had a chance to do anything fun for me.
Unfortunately, I'm forced to leave the comments section closed. Some smart ass has been using my site to pimp their website for poker. I don't play poker, and I don't want to be used as FREE advertising for it. You want to pay me serious money to put something up on the site, then we can talk...but I don't think you can afford my prices
Anyway, those of you who know me, know how to get in thouch... that hasn't changed... yet.
March 27, 2004
What a relief!
Well, I did it. I turned in my two weeks notice at work! I have to say its very freeing. Turns out they want me to stay an extra week, which I can live with, especially since they agreed to let me work at least one or two days from home! And we are in negotiations to have me work contract for them. This means I will be working from home, and getting a pretty paycheck!
And if this doesn't work out, there are other positions out there, and I have a headhunter submitting my resume to most of them
So, wish me well! I'm entering the land of the self-employed.
Hugs!
July 29, 2003
Wow!
Its been a while, hasn't it?
Its what happens when everything goes BOOM!
School, work, life...and most of it soo boring that I really didn't think that subjecting the rest of the world to it would be a good thing...
After several months of looking, the hubby found a position. YEA!!! It started out as a temp assignment, but the company running the project really wants him to work for them. I knew he was good, but...
He's currently in St. Augustine, Fl. He will be there until Friday. At least he's having a good Florida experience...which will pave the way for a vacation later. I miss him, but I will have him on weekends for the next few weeks, so I have to be content.
From the last post you know that I was not quite ankle deep in water...well, they finally did something about it...I'm now in an office on the top floor...with windows!!!
For those of you who have never worked in a law office, windows are for attorneys and no one else...No! I'm not going over to that side of the fence...Dad would hurt me Its a temporary move until they figure out what to do with my office and the lab... (laugh it up, furball!!!)
But...I've gotta run! too many things to do at work...
TTYL
May 22, 2003
I think I'm awake...
Busy busy, busy as a little beaver...
I started night school, 2 nights a week. I'm still trying to adjust to the difference in schedule.
Dad came for a visit this past weekend. We went to the Vietnam Vetran's Memorial Wall "The Wall", and to Arlington National Cemetery. I would put links in for these places, but I'm too tired to find them.
Most of the Season/Series finale's have passed, so I might actually have time in the evenings to blog again, just not Monday or Wednesday.
Work sux! I really wish my boss would hire a third person already! 
Too much going on at work for me to do and soooo not enough hours in the day to do it all. Oh well, with luck things will get better soon.
Gotta run, munchies are calling.
May 11, 2003
EEk!
Wow! Didn't realized that I hadn't posted anything this week...until I realized that I've been doing so many other things...
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Mom, have a wonderful day, and a better vacation!
I finally managed to finish my Burn-It CD's yesterday for the Spring Edition that Kymberlie has offered up, now all I need are the envelopes and to mail them. The better half has offered to take them to the post office and send them out...
Now I'm off to forage for dinner and watch the 2 hour Season Finale for Charmed! 
Have a wonderful week! I will try to come back tomorrow to say hi.
May 06, 2003
Morning!
Its Tuesday, blech...the week was supposed to be better than last week. Oh well...
More later, since I'm at work right now 
May 01, 2003
EEk! Thursday?
Geez! where did the week go? Yesterday it was Sunday, now its Thursday! I hate working... actually I'm just having a bad week.
Too much to do and not enough time to do it in, especially when everyone is breathing down my neck about something that I did earlier...
Oh well, the Staff Appreciation party is in a little while, so maybe I'll get a break then.
April 28, 2003
Monday Mornings
Blech! I hate Mondays 
Well, the party Saturday went well, there were 7 of us girls, just hanging out. It was cool. something we don't do often enough. Both of the Key Lime pies were a hit. See, a couple of the guys got together with my hubby Sat night at the same time the girls did...and they ate most of that second pie...and here you thought I was hiding that one We finished off both pies yesterday (there wasn't much left of either one, and did other Sunday things, like laundry.
Monday's suck. People calling me trying to get this or that done, when I'm still trying to play catch-up from Friday...Oh well, at least its half over. Now if I could just get more memory in my computer...
April 26, 2003
Saturday Fun
Its Saturday afternoon...the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, its raining...the Key Lime Pies are cooling.
Its been a fairly lively day so far...run to the grocery store, run to the nail salon, bake pies and somewhere in all of this I still need to get a haircut and go to a party tonight
That's what the pies are for, they look soo good. Its why I made 2, one for home and 1 for the party tonight 
Ah, well...its time to go and find the other half and see if he's ready to head out for the haircutting event.
TTYL
April 15, 2003
WOW!
What an amazing new look. Many more thank you's than I can say to Quintessential Web and to Daphne for the new look :)
She does the most wonderful stuff with a website!
March 06, 2003
Blech...
Some days all you want to do is just crawl back into bed...its what I secretly dreamed of doing all day today.
The boss is out today and tomorrow...we had a meeting yesterday to go over any project that might be an issue for me...boy, oh boy, did we miss a bunch! And, Of course, they all crop up first thing in the morning... Oh well, one more day!
Have to look at the positive, or I'll walk into work and recreate the ending of "Office Space". :)
With luck I will remember to get on the computer this weekend and check out all my friends blogs!
Have a great Friday!
February 03, 2003
Shock...
Its sad, really. I can remember what I was doing when I heard taht the Challenger exploded. I remember feeling very sad for the families of those astronauts, and sad for the people that worked at NASA.
I was having a lovely Saturday, having woken up late because of this da&* bug. Mom called to chat about this and that, including what my little brother was up to. (He's in the Army, serving on a Blackhawk crew). Then she asks me if I've been watching TV...now I'm thinking the worst (bro is "over there")...Bush did it...he declared war on someone...but no...she tells me the Challenger exploded during landing manuevers.
Run into the living room, hand the remote to the husband, tell him the Challenger exploded, find a news channel, run back into the bedroom, hear husband state it was the Columbia not the Challenger...realize that my head isn't screwed on straight...tell Mom I will talk to her later, hang up phone and stare at TV for an hour.
First it was the Challenger, then it was 9/11, now its the Columbia. What next? Nothing, I hope.
My thoughts, prayers and hugs go out to the families, loved ones and friends of the crew of the Columbia. They will not be forgotten.
Suprise!
What do you know....I'm here tonight.
Here's something I just don't get... I'm off to an interview tomorrow and they sent me an application to fill out. Now that's not too bad, you say...Really? They want the last 5 employers, pay ranges, etc and on top of all of that...5 professional references.
Okay, I realize that some companies might need this from someone just starting out, but from someone that's been employed for let me see....way too long? A good, professional/technical resume is all they should need. Why should I fill this thing out? Why should I bother going to an interview with this company?
I'll fill out as much as I can, but I'm sure that at least some of you understand the problem...other employees leave a company and Wham! you no longer have a name to put under supervisor, or the company moves and doesn't forward their new address and phone number to ex-employees...
ARGH~!@!!!!!!
Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.
January 29, 2003
Wow...
Time sure files when you don't pay attention...
I've been meaning to get on here and post...but with being sick and work happening, it got pushed to the side...
Let's see, new stuff since the first of the month...
1. The hubby and I went to see Dame Edna at the National Theatre. 2 hours of non-stop laughter, just what I needed.
2. Finally got my car replaced! I am now the proud owner of a 2003 Honda Civic 4 door sedan. :) I'm so happy.
3. Work has been following me home every day for the last week and a half, but I think I've finally got it licked.
4. the doctor thinks I've got pnumonia, but it might actually just be bronchitis...won't know which until the drugs have a chance to get into my system :( Which means that I'm still coughing hard enough to black out...and I can't seem to get enough sleep.
What all of this means...I haven't really had time to turn on the computer for fun...just work.
With luck, things will get better soon.
December 31, 2002
Woo Hoo!
Ok, so I've been bad...blame it on whatever you like, basically its been hell the last few months of 2002.
However! Its almost 2003, a brand spanking shiny new year! As with every year, even if I don't manage to keep them I actually do create some Resolutions to try for. So here goes:
1. Blog more. I miss reading other people's blogs and having mine read :)
2. Get a better job closer to home.
3. Replace POS car with a new one. (This one is actually almost finished)
4. Drop excess weight.
5. Write more letters (actual paper letters that need a stamp)
6. Finish emptying the boxes from the move (still not done with that :) )
7. Learn more about my own WebSite (and try to figure out what everything does, this includes learning HTML and C++)
Hope everyone else has a safe New Years Eve and a Wonderful Joy filled 2003!
November 04, 2002
Whoops!
My bad. I didn't realize that it had been as long as it has since I've posted anything...
I will try to do better, now that the apartment is getting unpacked. We have a goal, get all of the cardboard out by Thanksgiving. Or at least hide it all. There is a lot less now then there was a week ago, but there is still quite a bit to go...
October 04, 2002
Packing update
My apartment is a mess. I've been going through boxes of stuff trying to remember why I have some of this crap. I had a lot of stuff set aside to go to Goodwill, but when Mom was up to help me pack, she told me about 3 little boys who lost their father recently, so I gave her most of the stuff that I had set aside to give to them.
I still have a bit to go thru before I can honestly get to things like the kitchen. Most of what's left in boxes is stuff that I haven't looked at in years, so I'm willing to bet that it will either go to GoodWill or end up on EBay.
Tonight is my last night of freedom from boxing stuff. Everything has to be ready to go by the 10th...Wish me luck :)
I will try to post again before the move, but if not, I will see you all after I get settled in at the new place.
September 15, 2002
I'm sooooo happy!
We got it!
Let me start from the beginning...no, would take to long, let me summup...
The other half and I have been looking for a new place to call home...we found a really nice place, one that I wasn't sure we would be able to get into. But, we decided "What the hell! What can they do? Say no?" So, he sent in the application on Thursday and we have been on pins and needles since then.
Well, the wait is over! WE GOT IT!!!!!!!!! We have to pay an extra month's rent, put up with not having an end unit (bigger bedroom & extra window) and having a fireplace...but I can do that... ;)
Now, I really need to go thru everything in this pit and decide what to toss and what to keep.
I can't stop grinning :)
September 07, 2002
Life, the Universe, etc...
Okay, here's the thing...
The other half and I are getting ready to move, which is a good thing. The problem is that we weren't expecting to have to move by the end of the October. Which gives almost no time to go thru everything and repack/donate/throw out everything thats still in boxes from the last move. On top of this, I have a wedding that I am helping plan (including the Shower/batchlorette party) that will be the end of October, coupled with all of the birthdays and other social events that I can't seem to get out of.
What all of this means is...this place probably won't see a complete upgrade until the winter holidays. I will try to post as often as I can, and I will try to keep doing the Meme's and Quizes so that people know I'm still alive :) And, time permitting, I will still visit other peoples' blogs.
August 29, 2002
Ever have 1 of those days?
Talk about fustrating days...
first work...but why talk about something I can't stand. Suffice it to say that I came very close to telling my boss to "take this job & shove it"!
I'm making Key Lime Pies tonight for the convention this weekend, RelaxaCon. I only make these pies about once a year, so I forget things...like the bigger shells take more filling. So, instead of 3 pies, I only have 2, currently. I need to have 5 by 3pm tomorrow. I guess I'm running out to the store in the morning. The other half has the car at work so I can't go even if I wanted to. I guess I should be glad that I found extra pie crusts...see, I found out I didn't have enough filling for three by trying to fill all 3 at once, ended up taking the filling out of the third and fillling in the first 2. Smaller crusts coming up :)
Murf! Oh well, guess that's what I get for not making them as often as I should.
Going to bed soon, so I can get up early to head for the store...
Nite all!
August 19, 2002
I'm Bacck!!!!!
Well, what a long strange trip its been...but I'm up again. Thanks Phoxxe.
The site is under construction, but I will get it together eventually.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive and kicking.