Saturday

For the most part, today was another typical (for me) Saturday. Computered for a while, tidied a bit, read a while, knitted. Finished the awful-orange hat for The Boy and started on another hat for charity. Watched some tv. Just the regular stuff.

I did have a weird phone call this morning ... I didn't recognize the number so I let it go to voice mail. When I checked the message, it kinda freaked me out a bit. Male voice I didn't recognize saying something along the lines of "I hear you're looking for a good time. Call me. Before tonight", and then the call disconnected. I immediately deleted the message (I know, shouldn't have done that) and then, because I was a bit freaked, I went online to try and trace the number through one of the "free" reverse directory sites. Of course, the free part was telling me that the number originated in Riverside. To get any other info, I would have to pay for it. Well, I know Duh lives in Riverside, but I have her number (and Happy's) in my phone, so it would have shown the name if they had called. Decided to wait and see if I got another call (hoping I wouldn't).

So, this afternoon, I get a call from Duh, wondering why I hadn't called them back. It was Happy that called, from his cell. Didn't show on my phone because I had his HOME number programmed in, not the cell. They didn't worry about "scaring" me because Duh knew I had his phone number and that it would show on my phone. Needless to say, I was very relieved! Anyway, they were just confirming whether or not I'd be joining them for the Super Bowl party tomorrow, and I told them that yes, I would.

Met The Boy for dinner tonight; only had a small salad because I had a large, late lunch. It was kinda nice sitting in the restaurant at lunch - eating my sandwich and fries, reading my book and listening to music on the Touch. It was also a nice dinner with The Boy. Bought some cookies to bring home (chocolate chip/walnut) and just had one with some re-heated coffee. Mmmm.

The Boy had a box of old children's books (old books for children, not books for old children) that were his when he was a kid. Yes, my son is old enough to have "old" books. He didn't want them and I told him that I'd like to go through them before they were donated or given away. Besides, knowing him, they might have ended up in the trash (he just doesn't get it) and I didn't want that. Told him I'd give them away after I looked through them. Well, it just so happens that the apartment manager (whom, you may recall, lives across from me) has two small children; and she was very happy when I offered the books to her. I just hope the kids enjoy them.

Well, gonna end here and do a few more rounds on the hat before bed.

Interview Excerpt

This is an excerpt from an interview - my brother's editor - (that sounds cool, I should repeat it ... my brother's editor). The question is: Which among the books you have edited has left the strongest impression on you, and why?CF:Which among the books you have edited has left the strongest impression on yand wy?

LB: The Forgotten Disturbed by T.L. Trevaskis: An absolutely beautiful book that will sweep you away. It is set in rural Germany and the forests left in Germany. You can smell the trees and you feel like you’re right in the country. The author’s prose is stunningly crafted.

EOW and Almost EOM

Had a pretty satisfying end of the week (eow) today. I've been a bit worried at work ... a lady that used to work in the Chino office and had transferred to Denver is coming back as of next Monday. Her husband has some medical problems and had to leave the altitude of Denver. Well, I figured I'd be on my way back to unemployment since I don't know of any other position they would give her.

We (the AP dept) were called in to a meeting this afternoon so that the boss could let us know what was going on. Yes, the new lady will be starting in the AP dept on Monday, but helping with research and projects until they figure a more permanent niche for her. She will be at my old desk -- and I'll be staying in the AP department (and employed). JR asked me to stay a bit after the others left the meeting; he just wanted to let me know that he had fully intended on me being hired by now, and then this situation came up and he's had to postpone it (again). He's hoping it'll only be a month or two before SD is given a position elsewhere in the company and then he can push for me to be hired. Sure feel better, knowing that I'm not being pushed out the door!

Month-end closing went well, too... and next week will be easier, because someone else will be responsible for the non-inventory invoices! Yay!

Only In California

can you get a high-speed police chase, lasting more than an hour (and still going) involving a woman driving a U-Haul truck.

Bad Day At Work, Good Dinner

Maybe "bad" isn't the right word ... frustrating. My computer was running slow so one of the guys from the IT department (well, the "help desk" dept) puttered with it all morning. Yes, all morning. He took control of it about 9:00 or so, and I didn't get it back until after 1:00. Fortunately it was check run day, so I had other things that I could do. After the computer was "fixed", it still ran kind of slow so I had to have it checked out again. Fortunately that time only took about 10 minutes and it worked faster after that.

Had a later "dinner date" tonight ... The Boy didn't think he'd make it to Taco Tuesday by 6:00 so we planned to meet at 7:00. As it was, he did arrive by 6:00 and sent me a text message, so I went ahead and met him there. The Girl got there right at about 7:00 and some friends of hers from work joined us. Had a blast -- they were really fun and the conversation was lively. Lots of laughing, some blushing, and tacos. Great meal!

And now, kitty and I are going to bed. G'night.

Good Weekend

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting for the weekend. Had a pretty good time for most of it. Saturday was a knittering day and we had a pretty good turn out. Sis was the hostess this time around. The guests included The Girl and myself, Duh, MH2 and Sis' female roomie. Roomie worked on some mending; Duh worked on her hand-stitch table runner; MH2 sewed a hatband on a Ren Faire hat. The Girl worked on her cabled knit scarf; Sis a fishy hat and I completed the Hattz for RPattz hat and started on a new orange one for The Boy.

We had plenty of yumminess, also. Duh brought D'ohnuts, I brought raisin-less butter tarts and Sis provided a fantastic veggie lasagne, garlic bread, chips'n'dip and veggies'n'dip. Oh, and apples with caramel dippy sauce, too. We stayed later than I had thought we would (which is a good thing) and there was plenty of conversation and laughter. Sis also share with us a video she found on YouTube, titled "Moskau". It was quite hilarious!

Afterwards, The Girl came back to my place and we talked some more, and read fanfics and Ravelry. The Boy joined us a little later and we went to a new Mexican restaurant for dinner. The food was pretty good, but maybe a little more expensive than other places that are just as good.

Yesterday we went out to visit Dad and J (we being myself, The Kids, Sis and Rafe). Chatted for a while, and then went to Outback for late lunch/early dinner. Mmmm - yummy bread, cream of onion soup and a salad. Visited a little longer with Dad and J (and learned a couple things about The Ex that really ticked me off, although I hope I didn't show it) and then went to a car dealership so The Boy could look at a truck. They tried to talk him in to buying a brand-new truck, even though he kept telling them he didn't want to spend that much. They were actually quite rude and condescending - if it were me, I'd never buy a vehicle from them.

And then today was just another day at work. Nothing exciting. After work I did laundry and am now watching Big Bang Theory.

Everyone is now properly jealous of my exciting life, I'm sure ...

Glad The Day Is Over

Work was ok, but I ended up having an email fight with the Ex. He had me so frustrated and angry I just wanted to smack him. Hard. Without going into a lot of detail and reliving the whole mess, let's just say that he is being very irresponsible and won't accept the blame for his own actions. Everything is always someone else's fault (in this case, mine). I had such a knot in my stomach, I thought I was going to be sick. Fortunately, I was able to email with Sis and talked with L at work, which helped ease things off a bit. I also texted The Boy to let him know a little of what was going on, in case he got the backlash at work. The Ex said he was going to call tonight to discuss things, but here it is, quarter after ten --- I doubt if he'll be calling.

On a happier front, I have made quite a bit of progress on my Hattz for RPattz charity hat. I have a 3" ribbed cuff and now have approximately 3" more of stockinette stitch. I think I'm going to start the decreases at this point; I wanted the hat a little bigger than the basic pattern called for, not knowing who the recipient would be. Figure if the hat is too long, the cuff can be folded but if it's too short there isn't much you can do to make it fit better.

Watched another 2 episodes of The Tudors and then the 2 episodes of Bones. I'm also one of the first members of a new group on Ravelry - one for the readers of fanfiction. Right now, it's based on the Twilight fanfics but I think it is open to any/all stories. I was the fifth member to join the group.

I'm seriously considering making one of the fishy hats that Sis has become addicted to. I really love every one she's made ... the only problem is that I know I'd never wear it. I guess I could stuff it (leaving the mouth open) and display it on a shelf. This means a trip to a yarn store. Darn. What a hardship that will be.

So Much Entertainment...

...so little free time. Yesterday, my iPod Touch was delivered, and The Boy helped me get it set up and some music downloaded on it. It was really nice to have at work today! Love it!

Also received my DVD set of "The Tudors", Season Two. I think I'll start watching them tonight since there isn't much on tv, and it will keep my attention away from the computer so I can knit. Gonna start on a hat tonight. The one I was going to start last night, but spent the time with The Kids instead, getting my iPod set up. Good use of time, in my opinion. Of course, I had my knitting bag with me so I could have started on the hat ...

And if I decide not to watch "The Tudors" tonight, I can always watch "Moonlight", which arrived today.

TV Things

Received an email this morning from Amazon (one of the regular "stuff on sale" updates) and was surprised to find out that the full season dvd of Moonlight will be released on Jan 20, and is available for pre-order. This was a surprise to me, since I already have an email from them letting me know that my already pre-ordered copy shipped yesterday.

Also, a post on Ravelry reminded me of a tv show I watched with The Kids last week ... Ace of Cakes. It's a really cool show, and the cakes those chefs bake are amazing. My favorite was the "knitting basket" one .... yes - that is ALL cake (except maybe the knitting needles). Amazing, isn't it! Of course, if that were MY cake and anyone were to cut into it (or bite, or grab a handful, or destroy in any other way, shape or form) I'd have to smack 'em upside the head. So, be warned. If you want to have your cake and eat it too, don't give me such a fancy one! (click on the picture for a larger image and check out the detail - awesome). And now I want cake.

DirectTV is offering free HBO this weekend. So far, haven't seen a reason to pay for the services. I did watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night (which, of course, I can watch whenever I want on DVD, as I own it). Also kind of watched Juno, which was cute but nothing I would have paid to see. And when they have several HBO channels and show the same movies on a couple of different channels at almost the same time, it's just a waste.

Wasted Money

Had a note from the apartment management the other day to let me know that there would be an annual inspection of the apartment today. So, I made sure things were cleaned up before leaving to meet The Boy for brunch. Left a note on the table to let them know that I was buying a replacement battery for the smoke alarm (I left the alarm on the dining room table, with the note) and to please not let the cat out. So, I go to breakfast and then to Target to get the batteries, some trash bags and windshield washer fluid. Get home, and there is no alarm on the table. Apparently they went ahead and put a new battery in it and reinstalled it. Really nice of them to do that, but now I have two 9v batteries that I don't need.

Brunch was really nice. It was just The Boy and I, since The Girl had to work and he is still upset with his dad. Had a nice talk, I think. Touched on a few "issues" but nothing major. I hope he knows that if he wants to talk, I'm available. (And since I know he reads this, if he didn't know it before then he does now).

Next Saturday is knitting day at Sis'. I'm hoping The Girl can get out of work so she can join us but I don't think that'll happen. I've invited LM and M from work but I don't know that either will be able to make it. Duh still hasn't responded other than a text message on Monday saying she'd have to let me know. Haven't really heard from her since the 2nd, when she called to find out the name of a street. Guess she's been busy with Happy, his sister, and that group.

I've been working on the blue knucks quite a bit today. I have the first one at the point where I just have to add 3 fingers (the pinky is done) and the thumb. Started on the second one because I'm trying to decide if I want to do the other fingers and/or thumb in a contrasting color. Not sure how that would look, but since the pattern calls for binding off after each finger and reattaching for the next, I guess I could do them in a contrast color and easily frog the fingers if I don't like it. I still have a little way to go on the second one before I have to make that decision.

Microwave beeped -- my oh-so-yummy Lean Cuisine dinner is ready. Bye for now.

"Moving" Day

Well, I have officially moved from my off-to-the-side desk to my new, bigger, in-with-the-rest-of-the-AP-department desk! The move was accomplished with minimal fuss (D from IT did all the computer stuff while I was at lunch). Couldn't believe how much stuff I have accumulated in my time at this company! Got things kind of organized, although I didn't spend a lot of time doing it since I wanted to get my work done, too. And - speaking of work, I am now official on the rotation schedule for the misc. stuff done in the AP department! Normally I just work on the "regular" invoices; however, I will be trained and take my turn with the expense invoices, petty cash & expense reports, and will eventually (I hope) be given my own list of vendor accounts. Things are really looking up at work! And what is really nice is that the other ladies all seem happy that I'm now more a part of the group. Except LM, because it isn't as easy for us to chat as it was before. But I've been told not to worry about going over to talk with her, and personal emails and stuff as long as my productivity is good. Cool, huh? Now - they just need to hire me, darn it!

Speaking of darning - I've got quite a bit done on the first blue knuck. I'm at the point where I start doing the fingers. I've been trying to decide if I want to keep these for myself or give them away (M at work kinda hinted that she wanted a pair - at least, she's the one who said I should make blue ones) and I think LM would like a pair, too. After I finish the blue ones I can make another pair and give one to LM and one to M. I started them with the intention of giving them to M, decided I liked the color and thought about keeping 'em, and now I'm back to giving them away. Decisions, decisions.

Received an email from Apple today; my iPod Touch shipped out via FedEx and is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. I'll have to remember to leave a note on the door, requesting that the driver leave the package at the Manager's office. Maybe I'll leave one on Monday, too, just in case ....

Thanks, Cat

Apparently, someone who shall remain nameless (well, she actually kinda is, since I really don't think "Little Thing" is a name) was bored last night. Decided that my car keys didn't need to stay on the end table, where I left them when I went to bed last night. No, she decided they would be better off in my knitting basket. It took me a very frustrating 10 minutes to find them this morning.

Got a little good news at work today. It is official that, as soon as IT can reconfigure the computer, I'll be moving over to the desk in the AP area that was vacated when my co-worker transferred to a different department. Nothing has been said about me being hired or anything, but I look at it as a very good sign ... why would they take the time and effort to reconfigure the computer and have me move to the other desk if they aren't going to be keeping me around for a while? The two main down sides to changing desks is that a) I won't be able to talk to Linda as easily or as often; and b) I'll have to cut down on the personal emails, since my computer will be more visible to others. Of course, as Sis pointed out (in a personal email at work) - they aren't paying me to talk to Linda or send emails to Sis. *sigh* I'm sure I'll survive ...

Not sure how things are going between The Boy and The Ex. I really shouldn't worry about it, they are both grown men and can handle their own problems. It just bothers me that it has gotten to this point.

Anyway, that's about it for now.

Frustrating Morning

Got a later start than usual this morning. As I got in the car, I remembered that I needed to stop for gas. Went to the closest gas station. Decided to take a different way to work since I was on the "wrong" street for my usual route. Traffic on H was moving veeeery slowly and I was being stopped at every single traffic signal. Hopped on the freeway because it had to be faster. Traffic wasn't moving too badly. Had a couple options on which exit to take; decided on E because M has slower traffic and I don't like C. Traffic on E was veeeery slow and I was being stopped at every single traffic signal. Decided to take another freeway and exit at MV (because I still don't like C). As I passed the exit for C I remembered that this freeway doesn't have an offramp at MV. Had to exit at R. Junior High school at the corner; lots of slow cars. Traffic moving veeery slowly and I was stopped at all the traffic signals. Finally made it to work but I was cranky by then. Oh, and did I mention I forgot the cell phone at home?

Day was pretty typical after that.

Productive Day

After returning from a late breakfast with (who else) The Kids and The Ex, I decided that it was time I did some serious cleaning. So - I put on some music and got to work. Started in the kitchen; dishes, counters, stove and swept the floor. Moved on to the bedroom and straightened up the little bit of "clutter" on the side table and made the bed with fresh sheets. From there, I moved all the Christmas stuff off the dining room table and into the bedroom (for now, until I get my storage tub back from The Kids). Then came the bathroom - cleaned the tub and cleaned out the litter box. I've also sorted the dirty laundry into 3 (maybe 4) loads to be done tomorrow. Would have done them today but realized I don't have any quarters, so I'll buy some tomorrow.

I've also cast-on and completed the ribbing for the first of another set of knucks, this one in blue. I don't know what the yarn is, I had it in my stash and I'm not good with remembering what the different yarns are once I've lost the wrappers. However, I think they are going to be very pretty when completed, if I do say so myself. I'll get some pics tomorrow and post one.

That's about it for my day. Not exciting, but I got a lot done in-between reading the forums over at Ravelry.

:-(

That didn't last long. Got an email this morning from DB - apparently she had misunderstood yesterday. Yes, my co-worker will be moving to another department on Monday; however, it looks like it won't be changing my status (at least not now). Oh well, I'm glad that I still have a job that I'm happy with, and I'm working with people I like.

I was very proud of myself this morning. I actually "made" a full meal for dinner last night (Hormel nuke-for-4-minutes turkey 'n' gravy, stroganoff noodles and corn) and packaged up the leftovers. Remembered to bring them with me to work today to have for lunch. Good girl, right? I was almost at work when I remembered that the AP department was ordering lunch from Applebee's today, for DB's birthday. So I didn't need to bring my lunch today. Between the larger lunch today, and the small slice of chocolate cake this afternoon, I don't think I'll even be able to eat the turkey for dinner tonight. Guess it'll last until tomorrow.

I would like more of that cake, though - it was really yummy. I'm stuffed, but I'd like more cake. Guess it's a good thing I don't have any!

Earthquake

Preliminary report (texted to my by The Boy) is magnitude 4.9. Sure rocked the apartment!

:-)

Didn't have a lot of work to do this morning; in fact, I was worried about having enough to get me through the day. Talked to one of the supervisors before lunch and asked if she thought there was a chance of me being sent home early due to lack of work...if so, I wouldn't take a lunch, finish up what I was doing and then go. Not that I wanted to leave early, but if necessary I would have. Well, she told me to go ahead and take my lunch break and figure out a way to "look busy" this afternoon. She also told me that things will be changing on Monday. One of the ladies in the AP dept is going to be moved "upstairs" and I'll be "moving to her place". This will give me a lot more responsibility. Instead of just entering invoices, I'll have certain vendors that will be my "responsibility". You know, calling for invoices, or to work on problems or whatever. And on check-run days I'll be the one pulling the backups for these vendors and attaching the checks (I think it would be companies that start with the letter "i" through "o"). I don't know if this means I'm going to be hired permanently, although it seems strange to make this kind of a change on a temp basis. I think they'll also have me move to her desk, which will put me in with the rest of the AP dept instead of off to the side. I'm so excited!

Evil? ME???

Called the temp agency today because my direct deposit didn't hit (again). Wanted to make sure they got my timesheet on Friday. Wasn't upset this time, because they may have been closed for the holiday and wouldn't have received it until yesterday. So, I called ... asked for the Payroll person - and was told that she no longer worked there. I was happy to hear this; I didn't care for her attitude. So, later in the day, I wanted to call and ask for her again, just so I could hear the words "she's no longer with the company" again! LM says I'm evil. *sigh* I'm over the urge now, but it was funny when I got the urge!

Had a nice dinner with The Kids, Sis and The Ex tonight. Yep - tacos! It is, after all, Tuesday. The service was really slow; of course, it usually is when you bring someone new to a place you like. Of course, since the management had apparently decided to cut costs and have the bartender also wait tables, it was to be expected.

Finished my knucks last night - except the paw print. Not sure if I'm going to add it or not; I kind of like the neutral color of the yarn I used. I probably have enough left to make another pair, though, and I can add a paw print to one of them. Also found out how easy it would have been to "bind off, loosely" as the pattern called for. According to Sis, all I had to do was use needles that were 2 sizes larger than the ones I knit with. Should have been able to think of that on my own! Especially since it instructions had me cast on over two needles.... d'oh!

Anyway, it's getting late. Need to get my hair dried so I can go to sleep and not wake up with bed head.

Nice Neighbors!

Early this afternoon while I was sitting on my couch kinda watching tv and computering, I noticed that the kids (L & T) from "across the way" were at my window. Don't know what they were doing, but I decided to tease their mom (who happens to be the manager of the apartment complex). Opened the window a little further than it already was and told her I was going to have to kidnap the kids. Talked for a little while - she was getting ready to go grocery shopping so I commiserated with her. Asked her to pick some up for me, because I was almost at the point of having Rice-A-Roni for dinner.

Anyway, they left and I puttered around a little. Did some more computering and some reading and then was knitting (have to finish that second knuck) when I heard my doorbell ring. Peeked out the peephole - nobody there. Hm, odd. So, I opened the door and realized that there were two somebodies there...L and T. L handed me a plastic bag and I asked what was in it ... her answer? Spaghetti! Their mom was standing on her porch so I thanked her. She said that L and grandmother made it last night and they had a ton of it, so thought they'd share. Pretty nice, huh? And there was enough of it that I have some left for lunch tomorrow.

Think I'll get some cookie dough on the way home tomorrow and take some cookies to the kids.

Ok - that movie just looks too weird. Don't know that I'll be able to go see it - The Boy will have to see it first. For those who don't know (all two of you who read this) I'm talking about "The Unborn". I know The Boy is jazzed about it - he kinda knows the writer/director. Just doesn't look like my kind of movie.

Speaking of movies, I just read on Sis' blog that Rafe wants to go see Twilight! I wouldn't have suspected that he'd like to see that one. Don't know that he'd like it; although out of all the guys I know (gee, I say that like I know a lot of guys) he's the one most likely to enjoy it.

Anyway, since I've spent so much time on Ravelry today I'd better give the laptop a rest. G'night.

Non-Posting Week

I guess it's a bit obvious that not much is going on in my otherwise packed-full-of-activity life. It's been a tough week for me ... haven't felt like doing anything. Went to tacos with The Kids and The Ex on Tuesday (Sis might join us next week, yay!). Took myself to lunch (had a really good sandwich - cashew & chicken salad) and to Target yesterday. Met The Kids for a late lunch today. The were out of what I wanted for lunch (Carnitas burrito) so I just ordered a patty melt and onion rings; the waitress didn't pay us much attention; the salsa for The Girl's nachos and my food were way late (The Boy was finished eating about the time I took my first bite); the rings were dripping, and I do mean dripping, with moisture. All in all, it wasn't a good meal. Good company, but not a good meal. Although the waitress did apologize (they have a new cook) and take a bit off my check when I told her about the onion rings, which was nice. Good thing it wasn't my first time at this particular restaurant, though, or I'd never go back.

Tomorrow is a work day (which is nice; it'll get my butt off the couch and get me away from the computer). I've been reading a lot of "fanfiction" online ... in fact, that's about all I've done for the past two days. I know, Sis -- I'm giving myself a big kick in the butt as I "hear" your reaction. This will pass and I'll return to normal soon. I just feel the need to indulge in a bit of ... um ... fantasy???

Anyway - tomorrow is the 10th wedding anniversary for Sis and Rafe and I hope they have a great getaway weekend!