Li-Li, what a jerk!
I just got a call about a contract position in San Francisco. That’s quite a drive, but it’s only for 5 months. Actually, I could take the train, since I live a couple of blocks from the station. Knitting time!
Ho,e from the inferno. Pooped. Hugs and waves.
I’m so full! What can I say, I make a good roast beef or I guess I should say pot roast since it was all gravy/pot roast like. I do believe some appreciation shall ensue tonight. 
It’s thunderin’ off in the distance. I feel like I should go outside and dance to see it that’d help. Nah. Old white guy dancin’ might scare a storm off.
Old white guy dancin’ might scare the neighbors off. 
Ok, I won’t then. I like my neighbors. 
Sorry to hear about the mugging, Haze. That’s awful! Glad you’re ok though.
Stay away from the guy with mono and stay healthy LiLi.
I know this was a discussion from yesterday, but I wasn’t hear so I’m resurrecting the topic: pet puke colored carpet is a BAD idea. If you couldn’t see it, how would you not step in it?? :eek:
Great weekend in Chicago. The condo (that belongs to friends of my parents but they don’t use it) is just awesome. This is the second time we’ve stayed there and we’re already planning another trip. There’s a great Chinese place a couple blocks away, conveniently enough right next to where the orange line stop is. And the grocery store. And we found a wonderful little Italian grocery just up the street with awesome homemade bread and stuff. And down the street a couple blocks we found a little park tucked away from all the crowds (This was after visiting Millenium Park which was packed with people.) next to some historic house. (Didn’t visit the house; just sat in the grass.) And the condo has a view of downtown including the Sears Tower. Very cool to look out at night and see all that. (Although I suppose lake view would be cooler, but beggers can’t be choosers.) I wish we could live in the city.
We made a little side trip up to Milwaukee on Saturday to see KeithT’s family. Took Amtrak which was fun since I haven’t taken a non-subway/commuter train in years. Good to see the family too.
So a good weekend. Now back to work. Woohoo.
Season finale of House tonight!
I’m home and chillaxin’. Absurdly busy today, so I’m pooped.
LiLi - I hope someone gave him a piece of their mind – from a distance. Douchebag moran.
Swampy - So they were wrong. You really can piss off a fly.
That really sucks,** Hazel**. Hyde Park can be so spotty that way. Sorry about the mess and the PIA. Hope your passport etc come through soon. Can your parents wire you money? That might help with the rent–ask at your bank; it’s usually got a nominal fee, if the amount is significant.
The seagulls have taken over my yard–damned cicadas. I feel like I’m in the Hitchcock movie. I miss the crows! I want the crows back.
Veronica Mars is in reruns - I can finally watch House!
Just a momentary drive-by to say: eeek, Hank, that’s terrible. I agree with Nava that the State Department should be able to tell you how to replace your visa-related stuff.
And welcome Special One; you should definitely de-lurk more often.
And wow, LiLi, I think he should be called Incredibly Stupid Young Cow-orker.
Hugs to everyone else.
Off to do the next garden chore as it seems that it won’t rain in the immediate future after all.
GT
Well, that was fun. I washed my car, and discovered that the faucet in the front of the house will fill the basement with water when it’s turned on. Thank goodness for the wet/dry vac. So the faucet will have to be replaced. But my car’s clean, so there’s that.
**FCD ** managed to get himself an appointment tomorrow at 4. 
They told me the best they could do was Thurs at 1:30… Of course, it probably had to do with him pointing out that this would be his FOURTH visit dealing with this tooth. That would be the first temp filling, returning to get the temp filling replaced when it fell out, the permanent filling, and now getting the permanent filling fixed. He is switching dentists - here’s hoping this will take care of it.
I just got our auto insurance bill for the next year. $5500 for all 4 vehicles, thanks to two drivers having accidents in the last year. <sob>
Target entrance fee was $68. They had limeade! Yummy! I always buy limeade to celebrate the beginning of summer, it’s a tradition in my house. (It’s my house, so it’s a tradition if I say so.) I also picked up some bagels at Panera.
I have an interview tomorrow morning for a local job, just 15 minutes away. That would be nice, too!
Not bad. We’re paying somewhere in the area of $1900 per year for one vehicle/two drivers. We’re also insured at a saner amount than the 15/30/5 minimum. Think it’s 100/300/50.
We’ve got the higher liability, plus $1000 deductible. Plus 3 of them are 2001 or newer.
Luckily, next May, the kid is on her own. So it’ll be one less car and one less driver.
$5500? Good heavens, are your vehicles made of solid gold? :eek: I just checked with Papa Tiger; for two drivers, two vehicles 2004 or newer, we pay just under $1000 a year. That’s for $500 deductible with high coverage. From USAA, which is by far the cheapest insurance going for the coverage and service. Alice is on her own, but her insurance bill for just her with a 10-year-old car went down by over 50% in Maryland compared to Louisiana. Who knows why, but she ain’t arguing! I don’t know what Airman Tigs pays, but again he’s on his own and it ain’t my problem! At least his only accident thus far was a collision with a deer that fortunately only knocked out one headlight, thus not needing to get insurance involved.
I’ve been working on a new lace pattern with some heavenly alpaca yarn I bought at the local Mucho Expensivo Fancy Yarn Store – comes from Norway, of all places, don’t all llamas come from Norway? – and it’s turning out scrumptious if I do say so myself! I tell you, now that I’m getting the hang of it, these lace patterns are knitting up far faster than I’d expected – it must be all those holes that you knit in! Certainly they knit up faster than cables. Another good reason to stick to lace!
A local job would be nice, Jahdra, but having that dedicated knitting time on the train would be good, too. I used to either read or knit when I rode the Metro, about half an hour each way; I got to where I treasured that “alone” time – you may be in a crowd, but when the car is full of tired commuters, everyone’s happy to just ignore everybody else. But would the SF company help you with commuting costs? Or do they pay enough better to make up for it? That’s definitely something to factor in.
$5500 a year for insurance? Ouch! Mine is about $800, because I hit somebody backing out of my driveway when they were parked like a dork, blocking most of the street. They moved, and nobody parks in that spot anymore, because I wasn’t the only one backing into people parked in that spot. (Plus, the new neighbors are smarter than he was.) Also, I got my drivers license late, so I don’t have as many years of driving experience as you would expect. Back when I first got my license, my insurance was only $100 less than my rent, and that was for an 11 year old car! :eek:
MamaTigs, the SF company has fantastic benefits if I were hired on directly, and they do help with commute costs. Actually, it would be a terrific company to get my foot in the door with. And the pay would be a $10,000 raise over what I was making before. That would compensate for the commute quite nicely! I would move closer to San Francisco if it works out. Plus, as a bonus, working in SF would increase my dating pool significantly.
Well, I went to the doctor today. X-rays were taken of both knees and I got a script for relafen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory). We also talked about my thyroid med and then the doc checked out my thyroid, particularly noting that there is a big bump on one side of my neck. She then ordered an ultrasound of the thyroid as well as gave me a referral to an endocrinologist. She asked how long it had been like that - well, it’s been like that for a while now. And now I’m afraid it might be cancer. 
Especially when I came home and started looking things up on the internet. So tomorrow I’m going to try to schedule the ultrasound (and hope that there won’t be too long of a wait for that), then try to get an appointment with the endocrinologist and hope there won’t be too long of a wait for that either. Please say a couple of extra prayers for me.
Wow, Haze! I’m so glad you weren’t hurt or that the situation didn’t escalate into something worse. I am sorry you’re having to deal with all the financial and paperwork woes, though. I hope it all works out.
Remember the co-worker and friend I mentioned whose house got broken into? Her weekend got worse. She did something to her back and was in a world of hurt. So, she managed to drive her son and herself in to the hospital this morning. Her son had to get his cast today. Then one of my other co-workers drove her son to school. My poor friend spent most of the day in the ER under observation and getting checked out. They gave her a nice shot of morphine, so she was happy when she left, but has to go back in Thursday for an MRI. They also sent her home with giant Motrin and painkillers. She has apparently aggravated an old back injury. They were keeping her under observation because they wanted to make sure her saddle area wasn’t numb, which would be really bad news.
After that, my co-worker drove my injured friend home in the injured friend’s car, and I met them out there, so I could drive the co-worker back. Tomorrow, I’ll check on my friend and see if I can do anything for her, or pick up dinner for her and the kids. She’s not supposed to do anything for 24 to 48 hours.
tarra, I hope the doc gives you good news. I’ll be thinking positive thoughts for you.
Swampy, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Sagerat, congrats on your new abode! You must post pictures posthaste!
I can’t remember what we’re paying for our insurance, but I do recall feeling ripped off. We’ve got two drivers, two vehicles, and a boat. Plus we have our homeowner’s insurance through this company so we’re supposed to be getting a break. Yeah, right. :rolleyes: We’ve opted for higher coverage and liability as well, with a $500.00 deductible on the vehicle coverage.
Li-li, what an incredibly stupid co-worker you have. Send him here so I can smack him upside the head. What a moron!
Today temps reached the high 80s. It’s supposed to be warmer tomorrow. Alas, woe betide me, I’ll be at work, in a windowless office slaving away. Agh! I wish it was a rule that we could have a free day off on the first really, warm nice day of spring. Hey! A girl can dream, can’t she?
Jahdra, I’m thinking positive thoughts for you too! I hope you get whichever job appeals to you most.
FCM, and here I was thinking that only my husband did that. It must really be a married man kind of thing.
Hugs to all. I’m going to watch the news now.
Good luck with the interview, Jahdra. Tarragon, you’ll be in my prayers. I hope for the best.
I got a phone call from the University today, asking if I wanted counseling. I don’t think I need it - I had a few moments of panic today whenever I remembered what happened last night, but nothing too serious. I’m thinking that after a few days I’ll be fine.
Have a full day at work tomorrow, and a final paper to finish. Wish me luck.