73 posts from 2006 (page 2)

What books did you love as a child? 
Submitted by hearts. 

Much like I do now, I enjoyed reading mysteries and humor as a child.  I've read all of Erma Bombeck's books, as well as several novels by VC Andrews.

So yesterday, I finally got the last of my windows installed.  YAY!  Just in time, too, because it rained heavily last night.  So much so that there were local flash flood watch warnings everywhere.  The windows & doors passed the elements test with flying colors!  We can now put up our tree and decorate the house, as I promised my son.  And, I can obsess on to the next home improvement project.

After putting up the tree and decorating, we found a little Santa hat I bought for Mocha last year. She never wanted to keep it on for more than mere seconds, but this year she actually kept it on long enough for me to take several photos.  Here's one of them.

Merry Mocha Christmas '06

Yea, I know, she's pissed!  But, what else is new?

You know that state between awake and asleep?  Maybe you're trying to stay awake, but for whatever reason, your mind drifts and your eyes close and next thing you know -bam!- you're asleep?!  That happens to me almost every time I try to stay awake but end up falling asleep.  Makes for some very interesting "conversations" I have, I'm told.

A couple weeks ago, I was in my son's room just hanging out after coming home from work.  He was sitting on the floor playing with his XBox and I was lying on the bed on my stomach facing the cat who had made herself plenty comfortable there all day.  I should've known better than to try to stay awake on a comfy platform after a grueling day of work.  To try to not fall asleep I tried to engage in conversation with my son, as well as the cat, for good measure.  The cat, as usual, just kept ignoring me.  The more she ignored me, the more I tried to get her to look at me.  Sometimes she'd look at me as if I were a big nusance and quickly turn away and go back to cleaning herself. The more I thought my cat was being annoyed, the funnier it seemed to me.  Yes, I am easily amused.  

I was in this state between fading consciousness and giddy fatigue.  At one point, I know I was drifting.  My son would be talking and he'd look at me in anticipation of a response.  I'd sensed he was looking at me so my eyes would pop open and I'd ask him to repeat his question.  After awhile, I just couldn't stay awake but I must've still been obsessed with the cat, because I remember part of a dream I quickly had.  I was hosting a party and serving cake.  Mocha (my cat) was there with a guest (another cat).  I was passing cake around and I blurted out, "Kitty, would you like a piece of cake?"  The thing is, I said this Out. Loud.  I quickly came to as I heard my son ask, "What?!  What are you asking Mocha?"  As I realized what had happened, I cracked up for a good 10 minutes.  At this point, both the cat and my son were looking at me like I was certifiably insane.

As much as I tease Mocha in all good fun, she definitely knows she's the queen of the castle.  It doesn't go unnoticed that she spends more time on my bed than I do and that she constantly has our attention.  Unfortunately for Mocha, these incidents provided more ammunition for pestering her.  If I want to really get death looks from her, all I need to do is ask her if she would like a piece of cake.  And I immediately crack up.

What song gives you the most holiday cheer?

All I Want For Christmas by MCR!

Windows

I can't believe I'm finally getting my windows tomorrow!  No, not the computer Windows, but the kind that go around one's house.  After all that bru-ha-ha with the Association, I finally got the go-ahead and I worked out a deal with one of the vendors I met with.  I get new windows throughout the house, a new sliding patio door and new entry door.  These are the vinyl, double-paned windows that are supposed to be energy efficient.  I sure hope so, because w/no forced heat on, it can get as chilly as 61 degrees in the house.  Once, I think I saw the thermosatat down to 59!  I can understand temperatures that cold and colder outside the house, but not inside!  That's frikkin' cold!  With these old windows, I could also feel a draft just by standing next to the closed window.  My entry door has gaps on the sides and bottom where wind, dust and other creatures feel free to wander through.  This is why I rarely turn on the heat. Even with the fireplace going, it feels like a lot of energy is wasted through the flimsy windows.  My new door, however, is supposed to be hermetically sealed.  Ok, well maybe not exactly hermetically, but it's going to be weatherstripped within an inch of its life (should it have one).  All I can say is I. Cannot. Wait!!!

Would be yours truly.  For some odd reason, I'm on a major MCR kick.  I have their latest album The Black Parade memorized, constantaly playing on my iPod at home and at work in a never ending repeating loop (along with singles of I'm Not Ok, All I Want For Christmas and Helena, which is about Gerard and Mikey's grandmother - who knew?!).  I signed up to win free tickets to their Vegas concert next Monday.  Coincidentally, I just happen to have next Monday off...

Today was a busy day at work partly due to my boss' return from a 2 week vacation, not to mention the swearing-in reception happening tomorrow that I've been planning for the past month, and the fact that I'm basically a one-person department.  So, what do I do in between "jumping through hoops" and being the department whipping-girl?  I cruise the MCR website and their myspace page!  What really struck me was how young the average MCR groupie was.  I don't know why that surprised me.  It really shouldn't have...but it did.  Wow, was that depressing. 

So, I preceeded through the website and was thisclose to registering to be on their street team.  I was actually in the process of registration when I ran into some internet glitch.  I then decided to put it off until I got home.  So, I'm at the market tonight, and I get a text message on my phone.  It's from the Vegas contest.  The message said to send a return text of the word "go" to enter that day's drawing.  I immediately sent the message.  A second later, my phone beeps again and the message I received is that I didn't get it "[that] time" and to keep trying (as messages arrive).  I thought W-to-the-T-to-the-F?!?!?!  I should probably just try to get tickets to night #1 of KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas -- I think I'd have a better chance.  Or, I could try to win them from the station, but unlike the average teeny-bopper fan, I don't have the time to sit by the radio with my thumb on the telephone auto-dial and power-dial my way to being the #___ caller.  Then the sad realization of being waaaaaay to old for all this hits.  (SIGH)

What is your favorite board game?
Submitted by I'm Unique.

Scrabble.

What's the most klutzy thing you've ever done?
Submitted by Jecka.

Probably the time I sprained my ankle as a result of a bad figure skating move.

Here it is: At the drive-thru, always ask for your card back, and your receipt.  

Ok, maybe I'm the only one who needs to be reminded of this, but I almost lost my credit/debit card AGAIN this year.  I rarely carry cash, so I use my debit card for nearly all my purchases.  I know it's risky, but cash just doesn't last long on me.  Burns a hole right through my wallet.  I don't know how.  So, in my book, the bank debit card is one of the greatest inventions of all time.  One just has to be careful when using it.  Case in point, the incident at the drive-thru tonight.  When I take my card out of my wallet, I keep my wallet on my lap to remind me I need to put the card back.  The dude at the drive-thru handed me my bag and asked me if I wanted ketchup.  I said no and took off.  I thought places usually ran your card, gave it to you and along with the bill to sign, THEN gave you your order.  Guess you can't always rely on that routine, especially because some establishments don't require a signature.  It's a good thing I didn't get all the way home before I realized I never got my card back.  I wondered why my open wallet was still on my lap -- then it dawned on me.  I nearly made a u-turn on a narrow, busy street, but decided not to.  This situation ended well, but earlier this year, I lost my card somewhere (not the drive-thru) and didn't realize it until a couple days later.  Fortunately, it was a weekend and there was no activity recorded when I reported it missing.  It's never a good time to go through that, but moreso during the holidays.  And anytime, for someone like me who is always cashless.

Who's the hardest person to shop for on your holiday list?

This year, it's everyone.  Last year, I knew exactly what to get people and was totally spot-on with everyone's gifts.  I even gave someone an 80GB video iPod.  How can I follow a year like that?  I'm at a total loss this year, which is a total drag.