Ginko, honey, ginko....

Where I live to the Canadian border is a little over 3 hours. After you cross over the border I have another hour and a half until I reach my corporate headquarters.

In case you don't know, acceptable means to get through the US/ Canadian border is 1) a passport OR 2) a drivers license AND a birth certificate. This will change soon to just a passport or a newfangled thing they call an enhanced drivers license. But I digress... I only use my passport because, well, I have one. (and really - who carries their birth certificate around??)

I had to go to headquarters over a week ago. I left on a Sunday afternoon. I got all the way to the border when I realized SHIT!

I forgot my passport.

I called my hubby in tears.

I know - not the worst thing to get all teared up about, but I've been doing a LOT of stupid things lately of which I've chosen not to blog about. This was the icing on the cake...

I turned around and my FABULOUS hubby got in his car and met me half way to bring said forgotten passport to me. All he did was reassure me that it could happen to anyone. (did anyone else put 2 and 2 together and realize that he did this during a NASCAR race to boot?? he didn't mention it at all...)

And even though I was certain he would at least tease me that I should be taking ginko for memory (which he used to tease me about ALL the time), he didn't say it at all...

Llama's, fainting goats and more!

Did I say in my last post that my life is sometimes boring? Funny, somehow I ended up at a llama/ fainting goat/ mininature horse/ alpaca farm last night. If you want to know how to you have to ask Crazy Pet Lady....

Snooty Winies, Hiking, Song Lyrics and a Movie Set

You know, sometimes I think my life is boring. And frankly it usually is. But then there are events that happen that just blow that thought right out the window. Take this weekend...

Friday night David and I accompanied some friends, McG and JJ, to a wine meet up. So, we have to get there early because even though McG isn't the "leader" of this meet up he might as well be... He is "wine all-knowing". We just sit and let him pour for us while everyone else just flocks to him, asking him about this and that wine related. At these meet ups you never know who's going to show. Generally it's a good group that shows - people of all ages and backgrounds, just wanting to get together to enjoy food and wine. However this one had a decidedly different vibe.

It got off to a rocky start - a young couple arrived in a cute little Smart car. The "real" meet up leader walked over, and in trying to be friendly and start conversation, said "oh how cool! I've never seen one of these in person before!" The girl promptly responded, "Well, now you have." and walked away. ( snob...)

She and her husband then proceeded to write their names on their name tag in JAPANESE. (I'm sorry, make that an f 'n snob...)
(did I mention they weren't Asian...?)
Pompous?
Arrogant?
Pretentious?
Yes, yes, and yes.
(I never did get their names - I didn't give enough of a shit to care to ask...)

Let's just say that was how I felt about some of the others that showed up. So I decided I would just sit in my chair and drink wine with my friends. I didn't have it in my to be social after that little interchange. I would say it was a boring evening, listening to these pompous asses trying to out do each other, "I'm 45, but I only get hit on by 28 year-olds"... but have enough wine and we were having our own fun. Anything can be entertaining with enough wine!!!

So the next day David and I went hiking with McG and JJ. We took the dogs too. It was a blast. First, as usual, everyone had to make fun of me when it was discovered that I do not know the words to songs.

Scratch that. I know words. Just not the right words....

So did you know that the Madonna and JT song is really "4 minutes to save the world"???
I thought it was something else....

So we went hiking to a lake, went "swimming"... ok, got in the water... grilled out... almost got caught in a thunderstorm (not good with our dogs...). Did I mention that McG PACKED IN with a small grill.... When you go with JJ and McG you go in style....

I took a few pictures... I'll have to post them later... I actually took them with the camera and not my phone.

And finally, on Sunday my brother-in-law, Famous Actor, is filming a movie a few towns away - a psychological thriller. David, the in-laws and I decided to go over to take him to dinner. When we got to the set they weren't quite done for the day so we got invited on the set to watch. We weren't there three minutes and my MIL was right there, in the middle of the action, with head phones on with the asst. producer. My husband pointed out "I wonder if all the actor's Mommy's and Daddy's come on set..." wink*wink

Another of the asst. producers, the long haired hippie, took a liking to my MIL and was showing her all around, explaining everything to her, introducing her to everyone "this is FA's mother!!". It was a HOOT! The asst. director was also explaining everything to my in-laws. Inviting them to come see other parts of the set later in the week, like the lake house, etc... Then he mentioned not to come Tuesday... it's a closed set day.

MIL: Why, is my son getting hacked into a thousand pieces??
Asst. Dir.: Um, no. There's going to be skin.
MIL (eyebrows raised): Oh great! it's not going to be like a porno or anything??!!!
Asst. Dir. (eyeballs bulging): Oh no!! It's tasteful!! Nothing will be shown or anything! It's all shadows and stuff. It's for the comfort of the actors...
MIL: Ok. [FA] do I need to be your manager?? Do I need to approve this stuff??? (she says laughing)

Let's be real... the premier of his last movie started with him in a sex scene with his girlfriend. I know - I was there... And the play before that - he turned on stage - full monty. I wasn't there but my hubby was (with his parents). The thing is - they never tell my MIL about these things. They just let her watch the play/ movie and see it when everyone else does.... talk about shock factor!

But, other than watching my MIL, it was BORING on the set. Making a movie is not all it's cracked up to be - unless you're part of it, I guess...

So, my weekend was pompous asses made fun by slight intoxication, hiking to a beautiful lake with friends, and being on the set, watching a movie being made.

Not too bad for just one weekend...

Look who's back!

Just so you know - my friend, Crazy Pet Lady, has decided to rejoin the blogging world. (she mysteriously disappeared for a while.) After a flogging by me, and some interesting happenings, she decided to post again...

Check it out!

Don't Look Now

Ok - some of you were a little curious to the song I was referencing the words - "don't look now, momma's got her boobs out". So my husband commented on that entry with the words to the chorus. I reposted his comment here so you all would read it. Just for the record - I wasn't drinking while I was doing yardwork...

And to reply to some of your comments -

Wandering Girl - no, unfortunately my boobies are NOT big enough to break a clasp... my lats, maybe - but not my girls...

And to everyone else - of COURSE it's something only I would do - that's what makes me ME! :)

Zookeeper's husband here. The song she references is by Rodney Carrington and is called "Don't Look Now". Heard it on Bob & Tom (syndicated morning radio show). To give you a taste, the chorus goes something like this:

Don't look now
Momma's got her boobs out
Showin' everybody in town
Faces turning red
We were wishin' we were dead
There were people standing all around
When momma gets to drinkin'
There ain't much thinkin'
There's nothing anybody can do
You just hope and pray
There never comes a day
When momma's out drinkin' with you

Most Popular Girl in the Neighborhood...

So David and I decided to do some MUCH needed yard work this Saturday. And when I say MUCH I really mean it.... serious pruning, trimming and shaping going on... of the shrubbery, I mean...

So I don my usual warm-weather weekend yard work outfit - bikini and board shorts. I know - I'm in my 30's and probably shouldn't be wearing it. But I don't give a damn. Plus, I've been workin' hard for this bod - I'm gonna get a little sun on it. (Well, once the rays penetrate the SPF 30+ waterproof sunscreen....) It's my yard - if you don't want to see it walk on some other street.

So I'm in the front yard (around 8:30-ish) with the electric hedge trimmer (I'm sure much to the chagrin of my late-sleeping neighbors) trimmin' away while David's mowing the front yard and then he moved to the back yard to work on the pool...

Anyway... I had finished trimming all the bushes and was just finishing cleaning up all the trimmings and putting them into the paper lawn bags. I was in the VERY FRONT of my yard in a landscaped area, all bent over (picture the bent over wooden granny cut-out lawn "ornaments") with my gardening gloves on using my hands to rake a pile of clippings together when all of a sudden I realize I'm looking at my bikini top hanging down around my face.

I'll let you take that in for a minute.

Yes, Julie's in the front yard with her boobies hanging out.

Honest to god - my bikini top broke as I was BENT OVER in the front yard. The little plastic claspy thingy must have broke and it was just hanging around my neck. It took a few seconds for me to process what had happened.

And instead of being embarrassed - I started laughing. As in "this shit only happens to me"... And forget that the top is already broken - I didn't want to get it dirty with my grimy gardening gloves so I'm awkwardly trying to hold the edges with my wrists as I'm walking in the backyard (still laughing) to find David to get some assistance - because at this time I still don't realize that the clasp has actually broken - I just thought it came undone.

As I walk around to show David and explain what happened he looks at me and starts rolling his eyes - as in "only this would happen to my wife..." and then he starts singing this song from Rodney Carrington called "Don't look now momma's got her boobs out"....

I'm still not sure if any neighbors saw what happened... but if they did I'm sure I'm the most popular girl in the neighborhood!

Beaufort Stew and other Southern Specialties

So we survived the trip down south... the heat, I mean... ; )

Some of you may know that I don't visit the south very often. My dad lives there and I love him and all but I'd rather he make the trip up north to visit us. I even do my best to fly him up here as much as I can (although he does drive on occasion....) I usually use the heat as my main excuse. It's true! I really despise the heat and humidity. Although there are a few other reasons that I try to stay above the Mason-Dixon line as much as possible...

But I'll admit there are a few redeeming qualities found in South Carolina. Like the Beaufort Stew dad served at his party on the 4th. What is Beaufort Stew, you ask? Maybe you know it by it's other name, Frogmore Stew. No? Still doesn't ring a bell?

Well, let me explain. It's generally found down around Charleston and I'm sure there are many different takes on the stew depending on where you live and what's in season. But the gist is you take a HUGE stock pot and add in halved cobs of corn, small potatoes, shrimp, sausage, onion, maybe some crab and/ or crayfish (like I said, depends on where you are), water, seasoning and let it "stew up".

The best part is how you eat it. No one up north believes me when I tell them this. You take a long picnic table, cover it with newspaper. Then you drain off the liquid from the stew and pour the rest ONTO the table. Everyone then just picks out what they want to eat.

Simple as that. And no, I didn't just make that up. It's really done that way.

Let's see - other southern delicacies... boiled peanuts. I made my husband do a U-ie in the middle of the road in a terrible thunderstorm to go back to a store so I could get some. YUM!!

Sweet tea. I make this at home. And no - it's not unsweet tea with just regular sugar mixed in when you're ready to drink it... and best of all you can buy it in concentrate form at the grocery store where my dad lives!! It's almost like thin molasses!! You just add water. I LIVED off of it when I was in college.

Then there's Cheerwine and Sundrop. Those are soda's mostly found in NC and in SC, close to the NC border.

And there's the shrimp and grits. Now, I'm not a grits kinda girl. But I will eat shrimp and grits. I didn't have any in a restaurant this time but dad made some for breakfast while I was there. YUMMY!!!

So, next time you're down south you need to partake in some of these yummies. Although you'll be hard pressed to find Beaufort Stew - I'm pretty sure that's the kind of thing you make at home for a party - it's not really something you can find at a restaurant. (maybe you can in Charleston...) But you should really try boiled peanuts - they're great!! Especially with Cheerwine or a beer!!

My Indian Name and other misc. updates (including kitchen)

As Wandering Girl pointed out in her comment on my last post - apparently she has deemed my Indian name "Buns-O-Steel". Now while I'm grateful for that gracious name, it's not quite true... never has been. I'd like to point out that maybe a more fitting name (and one that is more accurate and easier for me to maintain) would be "Thighs-O-Steel". just sayin' ; )

And you asked for it Sweet T - here they are, sort of. D and I are are literally in the middle of our kitchen remodel. Who do you know goes on vacation in the middle of a kitchen remodel? We do! We have the cabinets in - well one was the wrong size so that's why there's a huge white spot by the window. And I will be tiling above the whole counter.... I just decided to paint there since it will be a few weeks until we tile the floor and backsplash. (So, in the event you can see where we scratched the walls putting the cabinets - never fear - it'll be tiled over anyways....)

Also, I still have to paint the ceiling. I have to do this anyway do to a contractor disaster a few years ago when we redid the bathroom and paid someone to put in the new tub.... Which they did incorrectly, which lead to a plumbing problem which lead to a leak in my kitchen ceiling... Needless to say - we're doing ALL OF THIS on our own. The only thing we're not doing, because we can't, is the countertops (Corian and Zodiac... yes ladies and gents - I'm doing two different countertops on purpose.) See previous posts as to why I'd do it myself if I could....

So here are before and "in progress" pictures. Let me clarify that we have an eat-in kitchen and I'm standing in the "eat-in" part to take the pictures. There are no cabinets or anything "interesting" back there so I never took any pictures of it. (and instead of a informal dining table that's where we feed our super-huge dogs.)


BEFORE:



Check out the lights...










































I really hate the countertops.. very 80's..







And finally - a close-up on the island to show you the bad condition of the cabinets. Plus check out the floor!!!!









IN PROGRESS:

Ok, new cabinet configuration - more use of the space, and new paint color (I admit, I did do the faux painting in the previous pictures. That color didn't turn out right but my family room looks much better in gold - much more Tuscan!!)

Man, I keep a lot-o-junk on my fridge!! I need to clean that up! (gym class schedule, bike training schedule, "family" calendar", receipts for stuff we've been buying for the kitchen in case we need to return something...)


So the counter guy, Rex, Came and measured for countertops yesterday. It'll be 2-3 weeks until they're done. Conveniently D and I are leaving tomorrow to go visit dad for about a week. (Kinda hard to cook when there's no sink. We could lay the old counter and sink in and use it but we're too lazy... plus I don't want that crap back in my house.)

I already have the faucet - it's sitting in it's box on my dining room table. I just order the light fixtures yesterday - they should be here when we get back next week. The cabinet will also be here when we get back too so we can hang it. We pick up the new range hood tonight. Dad's flying up to see us July 29th to help me tile the floor (I've had the tiles in my garage since December) and the backsplash.

The electrician comes today to wire for a "real" garbage disposal and give us timing and an estimate on recessed lighting (canned lights). BTW - the garbage disposal we have now is one of those "safety" ones where you have to have the piece you put into the opening and turn in order to activate it. I hate it. So the new one with be the usual "switch" kind. Problem is - currently have no switch - hence the electrician.

SO - that's the kitchen plan. I know - you just asked for pictures but I haven't really had anyone to tell my GRAND PLAN to. So thanks for reading!!! I'll post COMPLETED pictures when we're done!!

It's payin' off

The weight lifting is payin' off girls! Now that shorts weather has rolled around I have noticed that I'm lookin' a bit "tighter" in a few places. The hubby's been a bit friskier than usual and I'm pretty sure I just got the once-over from the hot-young-thing water delivery boy at the office.

(this coming from the girl that doesn't usually get those kind of glances from boys - especially ones that are that much younger...)

Oh yeah, it's payin' off...

Chump man be gone

Ah! A sigh of relief.

After running around collecting my counter top quotes I have finally chosen a company. I admit it - I had FUN!! I was such a high playing these guys against each other! Ok - I didn't play the good guys against each other - I just played Chump man against the others. It was so LIBERATING!!!

And you know what was best?? When Chump man called me back, tail between his legs - with very few words this time, might I add - to convey that he couldn't match the price and we should go with the other quote because it was a good one.

Actually I was disappointed in his lack of determination. He fought this hard for the sale this far. I wonder why he quit now? Because he realized he was the one that f**cked it up??

Yes - I'm sure that was it. Not that I'm patting myself on the back for being so smooth - in fact I'm just pointing out that I think he had a come to Jesus moment. I bet for a long time the guy probably thought he was all that and a bag-o-chips salesman and it probably got his nads that a "girl" caught him up at his own game.

Tough shit chump man. I can play that game too, sucka.

For the record, and posterity, from the very first quote I received on CT (Lowe's) to the one I'm going with I saved $481. I saved $365 over chump man. I do't think that's too bad, if I do say so myself...

So I'm now going with another company - I'd tell you who and give them props and a big 'ol advertisement but it wouldn't matter in blogland. If you live close to me ask me and I'll be glad to tell you where to go and where NOT to go.

This new place has been good to deal with so far. They, too come recommended. We'll see how it turns out in the end. So far it's still just a handshake.

So now comes the fun part. D and I begin the installation of our new cabinets - OURSELVES!

Ok, not exactly ALL by ourselves. D's dad is getting harangued into helping. Careful, if you live close to use you might get asked to help too. We need to get it all done by this weekend so the CT guys can come get their measurements so that can get going while we're in Flo-town visiting my dad over the 4th.

We're on a tight timeline, folks. You know what that means!! There should be PLENTY of blogging material!! : ) Wish me luck on the work and I'll try and relay the best stories as best I can! God only knows what's going to happen. Let's just hope it's nothing that would require a trip to the ER or a divorce attorney. *wink*wink*

Thanks!! - update part 1

Thanks for your feedback guys!!! Funny - all you guys had something to say about situation! : )

So I started getting some competitive quotes (would have sooner but I got swamped with "life") So far the first quote came back $175 cheaper.... HA! back in your face chump man!! I'm still waiting on the others.

I haven't spoken to chump man since that last conversation. I have a feeling our next conversation will be the same as the last:
"Sorry but your quote still in not nearly as competitive as others I have received."

One of two things will happen. 1) He'll either fold or 2) I'll get the best price of the bunch. We'll see. Either way it'll work out in my favor and that's all I care about!!

Don't mess with the Julie

So I'm remodeling the kitchen. When I say "remodeling" I mean new cabinets, new counter tops, new floor, the works. But as usual, D and I are doing it ourselves.

The cabinets should be delivered next week. Dad is coming the end of July to help us do the floor (tile - same as what we put in the hallway/ powder room over Christmas). I'm also going to tile the back splash - my first foray into vertical tiling....

That leaves the counters. I picked out and priced what I wanted at Lowe's (our favorite place. D and I have "dates" there. Are we dorks or what??) My in-laws suggested a local place for a competitive quote where they got their counter tops. I'm all for competition - it makes for better pricing for the consumer, right??

So here's my REALLY LONG story as short as possible...

I was really busy at work a few weeks ago, and trying to include D in the kitchen remodel process, asked him to call this place and have them quote on the counter tops. So we got a quote that was several hundred cheaper than Lowe's - whoo hoo!! So the following weekend we headed to their showroom to choose specifics (edging, sink, etc...).

Once in the showroom I realized the sales guy was a PRICK!! Sorry - no other way to describe it. He kept referring all questions to D, even though D made it clear it was my project and to address all questions to me because I was the "grand pooh bah" of this whole shebang. He was all self important, loved to hear himself talk (which he did for TWO HOURS!!!). He then wasted our time pontificating on why we should buy one of his faucets and why it's a cardinal sin to buy one at Home Depot or Lowe's. I'm even skimming the top as to the hundred and ten ways this guy totally pissed me off.

So why didn't I just walk out of the showroom?? (because the thought did cross my mind the WHOLE time I was standing there....) Because my in-laws and their friends swore by their counter tops and installation. (this guy was just the sales guy...) That, combined with the several hundred dollar savings, I was willing to stand there for bit. But believe me, when we finally left D got an earful. Not that any of it was his fault - just that I vented on what a dick this sales guy was and I was having serious second thoughts about buying a hot steaming pile of pooh from him, let alone several thousands of dollars worth of counter tops....

So, I called the guy back yesterday to confirm the quote as we needed him to add a few little pieces that surround our stove. The quote jumped FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! He swears that WE changed the dimensions of the island piece and that accounted for the price change.

Ok, I won't bore you the back and forth - but we didn't change anything - he got the original dimensions wrong and was now making up for his original low ball quote. (anyone seeing flashing neon signs here???)

So the "correct" quote is now only $120 cheaper than Lowe's. I tell D that I'm willing to cough up the $120 and go to Lowe's because I'm sick of dealing with this chump. It's about customer service -of which I have gotten plenty of it at Lowe's. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about saving every penny I can but I'm sick and tired of this aggressive, sexist idiot. I want nothing more to do with him.

So today I call the "idiot" up to tell him that his "new" quote is not as competitive as we originally thought... (and to give him the boot) and as soon as the words are out of my mouth he starts dealin'. He's now $265 cheaper than Lowe's and has thrown in $80 worth of "extras".

Ok, at $120 I was easily willing to tell him to suck a lemon... but at almost $300 savings I'm having second thoughts.... That's an amount that means something now...

Remember, this guy is only sales. He doesn't install. I have two couples that have have been very happy with the company's work. What do you think - do I eat crow and still go with the company to save money? Or do I go with Lowe's on principle?? The ante was just raised...

He said what??

Ok, I don't normally blog about my office specifics - as in what so-and-so said to whom, etc.... That could potentially cause some serious issues... But this is too much to pass up.

Today I took my "Promotional Marketing Team" out for our first annual "Team Appreciation Lunch". In case you didn't know, they've only been "my" team since November-ish when I got a promotion. The team consists of Crumby, Cakey and Token Male (TM). (sorry - the gals are bakers too!!! : ) Good group - but small. Small enough to have it's quirks for sure. We get along so long as everybody does what I tell them to ; ) (hee, hee)

You know how sometimes people say things innocently that might be considered in certain company as, well... tactless. That happens here in the office on occasion totally by accident. Inevitably, regardless where you are sometimes you might accidentally offend someone. Sometimes you realize it and apologize and sometimes you don't realize it.

I will say there were a few times when TM first started I think Crumby might have said a few things - purely innocently - that I cringed, hoping TM didn't take offense. (Did I mention he's Jewish??) We all know in the office that Crumby would never mean any offense at all!!! But if TM was offended he never really acted it. And I'm sure that once he got to know Crumby he knew she never would say anything maliciously. Now that's he comfortable working with us he jokes with all of us, no big deal.

So, fast forward to today at lunch. Crumby was telling a story about how she had this stool that was wobbly and she started hacking on the legs to get it even to where she ended up with a stool that was only about a foot and a half tall!! So TM pipes in and started telling about how he and his g-friend bought 2 bar stools and realized they were about 2 inches too tall for their table. So TM went out, borrowed his brother's chop saw and trimmed them perfectly on the first try! He swears the last time he ever did anything like that was back in shop class!

Crumby: You know, I bet you're so good at that because...
TM: Why? because I'm Jewish?? Because JC was a carpenter?!

At first when he said this we all weren't sure if he was mad thinking Crumby was going through a religious zinger at him or if he was just kidding. There was that confused moment were Crumby and I sat there trying to figure out was was going on. (Cakey was had just left to hit the girl's room.)

While we were contemplating where this was going Crumby weakly muttered "no". And then TM started to laugh and we realized he was totally pulling her chain!! It was PERFECT on TM's part. Played PERFECT!!!! Then to top it all off:

TM: See, we're told to measure twice, cut once!

This sent Crumby really over the edge. Even though TM was still referring to trimming the bar stools Crumby was taking the context into other Jewish rituals....

All the while I'm watching the whole exchange laughing so hard I started to tear up. It's not often that someone beats Crumby at her own game!!! I loved it!! I almost wet my pants!!!

*In Crumby's defense, she was going to tell TM that she thought he'd be good at it because he's our graphic designer. She thought that him being a designer, and I guess his attention to detail (I'm speculating now because we really didn't get the whole "real" answer) would account for his precise measuring and cutting.*

My May

Well, Madhatter was complainin' that I haven't posted since May 10th. Well turns out I've been home 2 days between May 10th and May 25th. (and that would be May 11th and May 15th.) I got home at 12:24am on May 25th.


Feel sorry for me?

I didn't think so. Hey, I tried....

So here's what I was doing all that time. If you don't care what I was doing then feel free to skip this post. Hey, I gave you fair warning....


So, May 12 - 14th I was in New Castle, NH for our eastern regional sales meeting. It was held at this awesome Marriott Inn and Spa that is on the historical register. It's called Wentworth by the Sea. If you ever want a piece of quaint New England this is it. It's right outside of Portsmouth, NH and right on the Maine state line. I highly recommend it.















Then I was home the 15th - ok, well in the office.... Then on the 16th I was off to Toronto for a tradeshow. I stayed at the Renaissance Sky Dome, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. The hotel is actually built into the dome. Cool, huh?? This was taken from the hotel bar. I was hungry and didn't want to sit in my room and do work..












Since I have status with Marriott's (Renaissance is a Marriott brand) I got bumped up to a sweet suite. The bathroom was HUGE!!! So big, in fact, I had to take pictures....



















































The show lasted through the 20th (yes, we work through weekends...) but Monday night I headed over to London, Ontario which is where our corporate office is located for a meeting with IT since I'm working on reorganizing our extranet and totally redesigning our website. (want my job now??) I left the office in London to get home a little after 6 PM. David wasn't home - he had flown to Toledo for work on Monday.

Wednesday morning I was up at 4:30 AM in order to catch a 6AM flight to Palm Springs, CA for our western regional sales meeting. I was in meetings for a few days. Remember, I was in the DESERT! Was it hot and sunny??

nope.

It was cold. (in the 60's. It was breaking record lows.)

It was raining. (scattered thunderstorms.)

It was hailing and had tornado's touching down.

Figures.

Since I couldn't fly back on Friday after the meetings were over (have you ever tried finding a flight to get back across the country on a Friday afternoon?? They don't exist.) I had to fly back on Saturday.... of Memorial Day weekend... So I went to the spa... and spent $200 on ONLY a facial and a pedicure. The guys that couldn't fly home until Saturday were golfing (in hail. how smart are they??) So the good news is that my company covered $90 of my spa bill because my boss figures that's what they spent golfing. I still think they spent more but I can't argue....

SO - I finally landed at home around 12:30AM Sunday morning and got home around 12:45am...
I know it sounded good with all the perks but I was going non-stop and my Memorial Day weekend got bit into. I'm still pooped. No days off since I got back.

I'm still working frantically trying to get this extranet ready to go live. I head BACK to Canada on Monday for three days. I really hate driving across the border. Try explaining how you live and work in NY but your corporate headquarters is in Canada. And no, I do NOT need a work permit to be in the country... I PROMISE!!!

Man, those Canadians do not want anyone working in their country without work permits!!!

So that's what I've been doing since May 10th.

So help me God if any one of you ever ask me again why I dont' have kids yet... If you do I might twist your arm off.

Don't believe I'd do that??
Try me.

Pill boxes crack me up

Here's one for a mental image. Picture this: I'm lying in bed (by myself - hubby's out of town, coaching) in an old t-shirt and shorts, in my glasses, under the covers, laptop on my chest. Lights are out. To see to type I have my camping head lamp on my forehead.

I must be a sight to see. No wonder I never get any sex these days...

Anywhoo.... I digress. I got back from a trade show late Friday nite. The only thing interesting about the show were the booths around me. Since there wasn't much traffic we were all chattin' it up with each other to pass the time. On one side was a company that sold pulse oxymetry stuff . Don't know what that is? Don't worry - you're not missing anything. 2 guys working the booth - one would work while the other was off doing something. Most of my conversations were with the younger guy. We'll get to him.

The other side of me was a company that made pill boxes in the US. A family company - mom, dad and daughter. The daughter was a few years older than me. Now they were MY PEOPLE!!! What a hoot!!!!!

Pill box family - if you're out there - Anita, Frank and Leslie - I would like to thank you for making an otherwise lackluster show probably one of the most entertaining trade shows I've been to in quite a long time! (Definitely the most enjoyable one I've been to with this company!!!)

Probably one of the best parts was when - somehow - it came up in conversation that young guy from PO company DIDN'T KNOW WHO JIMMY BUFFET WAS!!??? Ok, well, he'd heard of him but thought he was a country singer... and the kid was only 26 and from San Diego.. Apparently Anita and Frank are / were parrot heads and Anita proceeded to give the kid a proper lecture on the finer points of Jimmy. Leslie (daughter) and I were rolling!!!!

Poor kid never lived it down. Even as he was packing up to leave all of us were reminding him to have fun in Margaritaville...

I swear I saw him give us the finger as he left the convention center...


Oh, and now I have enough pill boxes to last me until I die...