Woke up this morning and really, seriously thought it was Saturday. Even set myself up for what I would accomplish on my "day off".
*sigh*
Maybe it's because I got SO MUCH stuff done yesterday, both at home and at work. The auditors were in, so I was a busy little mouse for the best part of all day. Tom has a project for me to do today or Monday, so I'll be busy again. I like busy. Busy is good. Busy makes the time fly by and keeps me out of trouble.
Got all but a few bills paid last nite too. This is good. Would be better if today was Saturday, however.
Oh, well - time to go raid the Dryer for some clean trousers and get out of my morning garb and into work garb.
I WANT MY SATURDAY!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
A Day Without (illegal) Immigrants
Well, yesterday was the "boycott" day that the illegal invaders of our country staged to "prove we need them".
Traffic was just wonderful! I breezed into work and back home without even 1/2 the usual congestion. I'd say that bodes well for being able to deal without having illegal aliens in the country!
At work, we had normal activity, the plant ran smoothly, and there really wasn't anything at all that was inconvenienced. Guess we don't "need" any illegals for that!
On the way home, I stopped to buy some food from a fast-food place and got excellent service, the person at the drive-up was polite and spoke EXCELLENT English! I could understand every word, and my order was assembled quickly and correctly.
I also stopped for gas, and picked up a few odds and ends that needed to be purchased - since I wanted the retailers to know that they would still have customers, even if the ILLEGAL ALIENS weren't there to shoplift.
It was just wonderful, a whole day without the illegales.
Maybe they should make it a week! A month!! A year!!! How about a DECADE? Or even better - a CENTURY WITHOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!
Ahh... bliss.
Edit in: Please note, this only applies to folks who illegally enter this country - without doing the RIGHT thing and following the procedures to enter legally. Immigrants who come here and do all the correct procedures, no matter WHERE their country of origin - are most welcome and appreciated.
Traffic was just wonderful! I breezed into work and back home without even 1/2 the usual congestion. I'd say that bodes well for being able to deal without having illegal aliens in the country!
At work, we had normal activity, the plant ran smoothly, and there really wasn't anything at all that was inconvenienced. Guess we don't "need" any illegals for that!
On the way home, I stopped to buy some food from a fast-food place and got excellent service, the person at the drive-up was polite and spoke EXCELLENT English! I could understand every word, and my order was assembled quickly and correctly.
I also stopped for gas, and picked up a few odds and ends that needed to be purchased - since I wanted the retailers to know that they would still have customers, even if the ILLEGAL ALIENS weren't there to shoplift.
It was just wonderful, a whole day without the illegales.
Maybe they should make it a week! A month!! A year!!! How about a DECADE? Or even better - a CENTURY WITHOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!
Ahh... bliss.
Edit in: Please note, this only applies to folks who illegally enter this country - without doing the RIGHT thing and following the procedures to enter legally. Immigrants who come here and do all the correct procedures, no matter WHERE their country of origin - are most welcome and appreciated.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Miscellania
My new shoes squeek. I sound like an NBA player walking around in the office. This isn't the "squeak squeak" of stiff soles - this is the SQUEAK!!! SQUEEEEEKKKKK!!!! of rubber soles on linoleum flooring. I can't sneak up on people. *pout*
I spent $14 I shouldn't have done - but I couldn't resist. I got a LavaLamp. I know, I know - how RETRO 70's and STUPID!! But it has green blobby lava in blue juice, and it looks cute. Always wanted one. Waste of money, but...
Tomorrow I'm going to the nursery and pick up some new perennials for the garden(s). I've already decided I need lots more lilies, a WHITE bleeding-heart, and maybe some daisies. Terry next door says he knows this guy who is a landscaper and might could help us out some with fixing up our front area and making it look spiffy. Since it seems as if everything I plant in the front there does really bad except for geraniums, I'm only gonna buy some geraniums for there this year and see about getting perennials in there after the landscaper guy does something... anything!!
I am absolutely starving for a "turtle" blizzard from DQ - but the DQ here in Elmhurst has the most incompetent counter help, so I'll wait until I get near one near home - or stop in at Baskin Robbins and get their equivalent.
I'm thinking of replacing my bedroom curtains. I've had these same window coverings now for over 10 years. I am thinking something more "bright and cheerful" - perhaps yellow, pink and green? I am also thinking of removing ALL the old hardware and putting in new. Getting rid of the broken old mini-blinds and putting up some really nice curtains.
I spent $14 I shouldn't have done - but I couldn't resist. I got a LavaLamp. I know, I know - how RETRO 70's and STUPID!! But it has green blobby lava in blue juice, and it looks cute. Always wanted one. Waste of money, but...
Tomorrow I'm going to the nursery and pick up some new perennials for the garden(s). I've already decided I need lots more lilies, a WHITE bleeding-heart, and maybe some daisies. Terry next door says he knows this guy who is a landscaper and might could help us out some with fixing up our front area and making it look spiffy. Since it seems as if everything I plant in the front there does really bad except for geraniums, I'm only gonna buy some geraniums for there this year and see about getting perennials in there after the landscaper guy does something... anything!!
I am absolutely starving for a "turtle" blizzard from DQ - but the DQ here in Elmhurst has the most incompetent counter help, so I'll wait until I get near one near home - or stop in at Baskin Robbins and get their equivalent.
I'm thinking of replacing my bedroom curtains. I've had these same window coverings now for over 10 years. I am thinking something more "bright and cheerful" - perhaps yellow, pink and green? I am also thinking of removing ALL the old hardware and putting in new. Getting rid of the broken old mini-blinds and putting up some really nice curtains.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Comfortably Numb
It's not really peace, ya know. It's avoidance.
It's keeping things bottled inside, only letting small bits seep out and dealing with each bit as it comes.
I suppose it explains the fitful sleep patterns, the inability to focus, the need for mindless repetitive tasks - the bizarre dreams.
Sure, I cried like a baby before I went to Florida. I sucked it up and tried NOT to cry while there, but several times I broke down and just quietly sobbed. There's this huge hole inside that is where my emotions were - and a rock that surrounds them now.
Slowly, a small bit at a time, I poke at the rock... chipping a little more of the covering away - but it usually only gives way at night.
Woke up the other night unable to know where I was - thinking I was in Florida, looking for Mom.
My mind plays "what if"... What if I hadn't insisted that Dad get her x-rayed for that hip pain? She wouldn't have gone to the secure home. Maybe she wouldn't have caught the flu...
What if..... What if this wasn't Alzheimers? Dad didn't have her autopsied, and that is the only sure way to tell if it IS Alzheimers, and not some other dementia. What if it was instead something related to hormone imbalance or other causes? What if some OTHER doctor might have been more effective?
What if I had realized THEN, instead of now... that she was so very thirsty?
What if.....
I know it's a stupid mind-game to play. I know it won't help. But the emotions steer me that direction for this time. Perhaps later I can reconcile this all. I don't know. I need to have lunch with Grandma, but I can't afford more eat-out this week.
I also know that if I have lunch with Grandma, I will end up crying a lot. I don't know if I'm ready for that.
They're going to inter Mom's ashes at the church on Sunday after services. I wish I could be there for Dad. It will be hard for him.
*sigh*
It's keeping things bottled inside, only letting small bits seep out and dealing with each bit as it comes.
I suppose it explains the fitful sleep patterns, the inability to focus, the need for mindless repetitive tasks - the bizarre dreams.
Sure, I cried like a baby before I went to Florida. I sucked it up and tried NOT to cry while there, but several times I broke down and just quietly sobbed. There's this huge hole inside that is where my emotions were - and a rock that surrounds them now.
Slowly, a small bit at a time, I poke at the rock... chipping a little more of the covering away - but it usually only gives way at night.
Woke up the other night unable to know where I was - thinking I was in Florida, looking for Mom.
My mind plays "what if"... What if I hadn't insisted that Dad get her x-rayed for that hip pain? She wouldn't have gone to the secure home. Maybe she wouldn't have caught the flu...
What if..... What if this wasn't Alzheimers? Dad didn't have her autopsied, and that is the only sure way to tell if it IS Alzheimers, and not some other dementia. What if it was instead something related to hormone imbalance or other causes? What if some OTHER doctor might have been more effective?
What if I had realized THEN, instead of now... that she was so very thirsty?
What if.....
I know it's a stupid mind-game to play. I know it won't help. But the emotions steer me that direction for this time. Perhaps later I can reconcile this all. I don't know. I need to have lunch with Grandma, but I can't afford more eat-out this week.
I also know that if I have lunch with Grandma, I will end up crying a lot. I don't know if I'm ready for that.
They're going to inter Mom's ashes at the church on Sunday after services. I wish I could be there for Dad. It will be hard for him.
*sigh*
Friday, April 07, 2006
Manual Checks and Dunning Calls
Nothing is more frustrating than Manual Checks. Except maybe dunning calls.
I don't mind someone calling me if an invoice is way out there - over 60 days or such and unpaid. I really don't. Usually there is a simple explanation - either my postal individual has eaten it, there was a problem (parts not received, parts were rejected and returned, or invoice never received), or they got it and mis-applied it.
What is really irking me lately is the tendancy of other companies to insist on payment "ON OR BEFORE the 30'th day". Screw that mentality. Net 30 days has ALWAYS meant "I cut and post the check on or very near to the 30'th day". If this were my company, I'd be looking for alternative sources for the crap these morons are selling me.
Manual checks... an offshoot of the "we're putting your account on credit hold because this invoice is 32 days old".
Manual checks means we have to enter the information twice into the computer. Manual typing of the check also adds another "entry" to the workflow. Essentially, every manual check requires 3 times the processing time and attention as a system-generated check.
I hate manual checks.
This accounting rant has been brought to you by:
The Friday Tired Accountants Group
Accountants for System Checks
The Sewmouse Foundation
And members like YOU!
I don't mind someone calling me if an invoice is way out there - over 60 days or such and unpaid. I really don't. Usually there is a simple explanation - either my postal individual has eaten it, there was a problem (parts not received, parts were rejected and returned, or invoice never received), or they got it and mis-applied it.
What is really irking me lately is the tendancy of other companies to insist on payment "ON OR BEFORE the 30'th day". Screw that mentality. Net 30 days has ALWAYS meant "I cut and post the check on or very near to the 30'th day". If this were my company, I'd be looking for alternative sources for the crap these morons are selling me.
Manual checks... an offshoot of the "we're putting your account on credit hold because this invoice is 32 days old".
Manual checks means we have to enter the information twice into the computer. Manual typing of the check also adds another "entry" to the workflow. Essentially, every manual check requires 3 times the processing time and attention as a system-generated check.
I hate manual checks.
This accounting rant has been brought to you by:
The Friday Tired Accountants Group
Accountants for System Checks
The Sewmouse Foundation
And members like YOU!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Laundry
They say that back in medieval times, folks only had 1 or 2 sets of clothes. Sometimes I envy that.
Again I'm swamped with laundry. Always happens after a trip. I just hate having to actually DO it.
Tonight I must.
Ah well. I guess I can watch the Harry Potter movie in the meanwhile.
Again I'm swamped with laundry. Always happens after a trip. I just hate having to actually DO it.
Tonight I must.
Ah well. I guess I can watch the Harry Potter movie in the meanwhile.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The Train Still Sucks
Chugga, chugga, chugga.... whipping back and forth .... guys on cellphones at 2 a.m.... bad coffee. Stopping in every podunk dinky town between Orlando and Washington DC - because you have to go to DC to get to Chicago.... The train still sucks.
Well, I'm home. Got the computer back to working again, and soon I'll take a break and maybe order in some carryout chinese.
The last 8 days have been a monumental tribute to Murphy's Law. Along with the death of my mother, absolutely nothing at all has gone correctly.
The flight down was late. The car rental place lost my reservation. I couldn't get a one-way rent-a-car. I forgot my hairdryer, my cell phone is acting weird and the train thing got all fardleschnockered up on the way back, not to mention that I fell down the stairs on the train trying to get to the bathroom at 4:00 a.m.
But I got home.
For those of you who give a shit - I thought you might like to see a picture of Mom with Dad that was taken at a church outting a little while back. Dad says it is one of the better "recent" ones of Mom, and I agree.
Excuse me, I have to strangle a cat that thinks it needs attention...
Well, I'm home. Got the computer back to working again, and soon I'll take a break and maybe order in some carryout chinese.
The last 8 days have been a monumental tribute to Murphy's Law. Along with the death of my mother, absolutely nothing at all has gone correctly.
The flight down was late. The car rental place lost my reservation. I couldn't get a one-way rent-a-car. I forgot my hairdryer, my cell phone is acting weird and the train thing got all fardleschnockered up on the way back, not to mention that I fell down the stairs on the train trying to get to the bathroom at 4:00 a.m.
But I got home.
For those of you who give a shit - I thought you might like to see a picture of Mom with Dad that was taken at a church outting a little while back. Dad says it is one of the better "recent" ones of Mom, and I agree.
Excuse me, I have to strangle a cat that thinks it needs attention...
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Aftershocks
Mom died on Wednesday at about 11:15 or 11:30 a.m.
The end was quiet. One moment she was breathing - the next she was gone. Peaceful, no pain, no fighting or screaming.
The wake was Thursday night. The funeral was Friday. Today I will take the long train ride back to Illinois. Probably won't be lucky, but if I am, Pirate may meet me during my layover in DC. I hope he can. 6 hours is a very long time.
Since it appears from the curt comment from my daughter on the previous post that my Sainted Brother the Lutheran Minister has succeeded in alienating her completely from me, I guess he has "won". I have no idea how she discovered my blog, but It sure does give the rest of the world a window into the dysfunctionality of my family.
I thank the Deity for each and every one of my dear friends who have been with me through this. The internet is certainly an incredible place, when the folks one can meet there become so close, so caring, so supportive - more supportive, more caring, more loving than even those who SHOULD care - family and neighbors.
Without the support and help of my friends, this ability to say good-bye to my Mom wouldn't have been possible. I love you all.
Blessed Be.
The end was quiet. One moment she was breathing - the next she was gone. Peaceful, no pain, no fighting or screaming.
The wake was Thursday night. The funeral was Friday. Today I will take the long train ride back to Illinois. Probably won't be lucky, but if I am, Pirate may meet me during my layover in DC. I hope he can. 6 hours is a very long time.
Since it appears from the curt comment from my daughter on the previous post that my Sainted Brother the Lutheran Minister has succeeded in alienating her completely from me, I guess he has "won". I have no idea how she discovered my blog, but It sure does give the rest of the world a window into the dysfunctionality of my family.
I thank the Deity for each and every one of my dear friends who have been with me through this. The internet is certainly an incredible place, when the folks one can meet there become so close, so caring, so supportive - more supportive, more caring, more loving than even those who SHOULD care - family and neighbors.
Without the support and help of my friends, this ability to say good-bye to my Mom wouldn't have been possible. I love you all.
Blessed Be.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Death's Door - Part II
Her breathing is so very shallow now. I tried to keep pace - it's impossible. One cannot get enough air in the lungs in such a short inhalation in order to support the long exhalation.
They can't get a blood-oxygen reading anymore from the little clip thing. They tried fingers, toes... nada.
We haven't really SLEPT in 72 hours. Dad is not thinking straight, but there is NO WAY that I am letting that man out of my sight until I have to leave on Saturday afternoon.
St. Paul the Lutheran Minister is being bossy, pushy and obnoxious - and it's getting on Dad's nerves as well as mine. Somewhere inside there, Dad relates to me in a different way, on a different level. Dad will accept comforting from me. I can hug him. Paul can't - or wont.
More later.
They can't get a blood-oxygen reading anymore from the little clip thing. They tried fingers, toes... nada.
We haven't really SLEPT in 72 hours. Dad is not thinking straight, but there is NO WAY that I am letting that man out of my sight until I have to leave on Saturday afternoon.
St. Paul the Lutheran Minister is being bossy, pushy and obnoxious - and it's getting on Dad's nerves as well as mine. Somewhere inside there, Dad relates to me in a different way, on a different level. Dad will accept comforting from me. I can hug him. Paul can't - or wont.
More later.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Deaths Door
I've learned what a "death rattle" sounds like. Mom's breathing is so troubled.
Her heart is still beating strong, but all else is falling to pieces. The pneumonia is robbing her of consciousness - that and the combination of Ativan, Morphine and other drugs.
Having to be "strong" for my Dad's sake is a hell I'm only just beginning to learn. He's gonna be lost without her, even when she had the altzheimers, he knew where she was and that he could go to visit her.
Need to leave now - more later.
Her heart is still beating strong, but all else is falling to pieces. The pneumonia is robbing her of consciousness - that and the combination of Ativan, Morphine and other drugs.
Having to be "strong" for my Dad's sake is a hell I'm only just beginning to learn. He's gonna be lost without her, even when she had the altzheimers, he knew where she was and that he could go to visit her.
Need to leave now - more later.
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