Sunday 11-11-07

The last day of the weekend begins. Sun morning is always a little depressing because of that thought.

Yep, it sure is. Just finished enrolling via computer for my med benefits for 2008. It took about ten minutes. It used to take about 45. Whoever designed the site needs a raise, cause it was exceptionally easy to use and navigate.....just right for a computer dummy like me.

Agreed, it's much better than the old do it by phone method. Enter "1" for yes. You entered "1" if this is correct push "1". You entered "11" this is an invalid entry. Please enter "1" to start over.

And the really most horrible thing of all is the voice response automated phone systems. At some point I always wind up screaming "YESSSSSSSSSSSS DAMN IT" into the receiver.

Time for a break. Wife complained dryer was going on the blimk....taking 2 to 3 cycles for it to dry. Went down, took off the back, made sure heating elements were working ok...they were. Went outside, made sure air duct wasn't obstructed....it wasn't. Took off the vent hose.....completely clogged....almost 20 feet of it. Ran up to Home Depot, bought new hose and clamps....dryer "fixed".

Retouched two accent walls from minor scrapes and blemishes. I'm glad I save all my leftover paint from old projects....it's much easier than buying new paint! I'm almost to the point where I hate having Thanksgiving at our house.....35 to 40 people coming in, destroying all my fine work, and causing me to do it all over again for the next year. Plus, we went to the grocery last night to get food and stuff......300 plus bucks to feed this crew (and supply the beer).

Now I've gotta go hang some pictures and a mirror on the wall. I'll be almost glad to go back to work.

Almost.

How did the patio project go? Any lost fingers or trips to the ER?

So far so good...and boy, have you been productive! We save unused paint, too, but never seem to get around to needing it until it gets all funky and unusable.

I had to go rent the cement mixer and buy 2 extra j bolts as Rob is behind schedule. I HATE Home Depot.

Now I have to go buy plastic spoons and knives for kid1's French class tomorrow.

We had to replace our dryer a while back and the only problem was a clogged vent that went untended. I kept complaining that the clothes weren't drying and Rob insisted everything was working properly and he cleaned the hose out...but somehow the exterior vent itself was clogged up. Hope you caught yours in time.

Yeh, pretty sure I did, because I had already replaced the heating elements and relays last year. The outside vent was fine....probably because nothing could get thru the hoses.

It's kind of funny.....25 years ago, when we were struggling to make ends meet, I'd rather fork out the money to buy something new rather than fix the old. Now that we can basically afford to buy what we want, I'd rather fix the old if I can, rather than buy the new.

well how you have money is by not spending it.

I don't mind fixing things instead of buying new, but I keep dreaming of the day that I have mostly like-new things.

I just want things that work the way they are supposed to whether they are new or old. I take very good care of my things. I wish I could say the same for my children - they don't take care of their things or my things.

I bet you thought I fell asleep again.... but it was a phone call from mom. Once she gets going, she can talk your ear off.

So... I decided to make meatloaf tonight. Every time I suggest it, someone gripes about it and I make something else. Tonight I just made it, and they will have to eat it or make their own dinner. I make a very good meatloaf, and we're having baked potatoes, green bean casserole and crescent rolls with it. I hate to cook and these people are going to find out that once I go back to work, I am not going to cook any more. Then they'll be begging for my meatloaf. I'll tell you later if anyone complains about it.

Now I'm on the phone with my m-i-l but she had to go check something in the oven. We're exchanging Xmas lists for everyone....I might be here all night.

Bam wrote:

So... I decided to make meatloaf tonight. Every time I suggest it, someone gripes about it and I make something else. Tonight I just made it, and they will have to eat it or make their own dinner. I make a very good meatloaf, and we're having baked potatoes, green bean casserole and crescent rolls with it. I hate to cook and these people are going to find out that once I go back to work, I am not going to cook any more. Then they'll be begging for my meatloaf. I'll tell you later if anyone complains about it.

Sounds really good to me.

Well, now here it is....Sunday evening.....which is WAY more depressing than Sunday morning.

Still in a pissy mood?

It's really hitting home to me how close we are to the holidays. All the sudden I've got a lot to get done in a short (and getting shorter!) period of time. We go to Disney on vacation right after Christmas, too, and I haven't given a minutes thought to that.

It feels....exciting. Things to look forward to, things to dread. But things, different things...the winds of change are blowing and I'm lifting my face to the sky and stretching my arms wide to embrace it.

And this Monday brings it all closer so I can't feel too depressed.

If only I had bought those Three Days Grace tickets...now they are sold out.

Well... no one complained and everything was eaten, so I guess it wasn't too bad.

And now it's every man for himself at mealtime. That's the way it is at my house most of the time, especially when Rob travels...like he is this week.

I do have to make sure the little one has something she'll eat but I don't 'cook meals' that's for sure.

That's the good thing about frozen pizzas and sandwich meats.

It's good if the rest of the crew will eat them without bitching.