wow! great breakfast! ::yummy noises:: Thanks Li-Li!!
I got some decent sleep last night. That is, until about 7:30 this morning when one of my neighbors opened up his table saw. Every spring, SOMEone on this block is a do-it-youselfer.
Mika, you were expecting me to look round, lumpy and have a bunch of eyes sprouting out of me?! Sheesh! 
FCM, if I had the photoshop skills to add pounds, don’t you think I would have the skills to subtract pounds? I don’t have either, therefore we are all shown in our full glory. Besides, I’m not a mean person, I wouldn’t do something as mean as that to a person as nice as you.
GT, I received your e-mail. Thanks.
Bobbio, I hope you finally got to eat something and your blood tests came out fine. Also, I’m all like… :o :o . Hubba, hubba indeed!
I didn’t sleep at all well, I kept waking up. My nose is still a big snot-fest. Dammit! I do not like being sick. It sucks big…well, lets just say it sucks.
Today we’re going out to my Dad’s place to BBQ. My youngest sister has come up from Oregon so we’re all going to get together and have good food and good times. Before we do that though, we have to run to Costco and look at some washers/dryers and go to the car dealership and replace one of my windshield wiper arms. Somehow, Mr. Taters broke one of the arms while he was washing my car. One of the little thread thingies on the wash mitt got caught on the wiper as he was washing the windshield and he pulled too hard.
I need some go-juice (coffee) now.
Taters, I read that at first and thought the Mr. broke HIS arm…
Too early in the morning to try and read correctly, eh?
Nice pics of the DC Fest, you are eminently stalkable, and not at all dorky. 
The Joe is brewing and we’re waiting for the brick guy to come and quote a piece of the front yard we want some work done in. I’ve kidnapped the Wife’s phone, hope she doesn’t miss it before I leave for the Cingular store to get her new phone - it’s her Mumsy Day’s present.
Be back later when anything exciting happens around here.
noisy noisy noisy landscapers and their leaf blowers - I curse them
Knock, knock…is anyone there?
Everyone must be extremely busy today. I have managed to clean myself up and soon we’ll be leaving to take care of errands and such before we head to my Dad’s place.
I’m glad you think I’m stalker material MBG. I wouldn’t want you to think you had wasted your time hiding in my shrubs trying to get a glimpse of me.
I went out to run a few errands. I was out of fruits and veggies (other than canned and frozen) and really really really wanted a salad. Got pretty much everything I need for lunches the coming week, came home and had corn on the cob (microwave, 3 minutes) and a salad. Yum.
I have a graduation do at 3:00. No idea what I’ll be wearing; guess I should figure that one out. Also need to get the graduate a card (I already got the cash that’s going in it…).
Back to errand running…
GT
Not busy, just lazy. There’s no incentive for me to get up if both of the cats are cuddled up beside me. They both sleep on the new bed. It’s so cute.
Time for tea, cookies, and maybe breakfast. Mr. Lissar just phoned to say he’s done his last 12 hour overnight shift ever and that he’s going straight to class. I should give Quasi-Daughter a call and find out if there’s anything fun planned for tonight. I want to got out dancing, but Driving Husband probably wants to play Oblivion and eat pizza.
Back from class where I learned how to put handles on mugs and pitchers - well, on one mug and one pitcher. I also had a bunch of other things to trim (they were almost too dry to trim properly) and I only threw 2 new pieces. I managed to kill the first piece I tried… Ah well.
FCD may actually get home before midnight!! He said something about the truck drivers and the bus drivers being kinda casual with regard to the speed limit. Last I talked to him, he was within about 900 miles of here, and they expected to hit Goddard around 10 or 10:30. Unfortunately, he has to be back there at 6 tomorrow to unload the truck at the Naval Research Lab, so he’ll have a quick sleep, but he’s going to find out if I can go along to watch that part. He said something about me having a higher security clearance than any of them, but I have no way of proving it. I mean, it’s not like I carry a special ID card. OK, I have my work badge, but unless you work where I do, you have no idea what the colors and the codes mean. Anyway, I hope I can go with him.
Once I have a quick, late lunch, I’m going to go work in the yard a bit - at least till the rain hits. Then I’ll run my errands, then clean the kitchen. But for now, the beeper is about to go off, so lunch is almost ready… yummmmmmm
I can see the pics and I think you all look just fine. So there. The Spatial Rift has spoken. I haven’t been busy. I’ve been extremely unbusy. I’ve just been not doing things elsewhere instead of my usual place where I do nothing: The webbernets. (This is my new favorite alternate word for the Internet.) I went over to my friends’ suite to bother them before they had to move out, since I won’t be seeing them again for who knows how long. Many a weekend night this semester saw me over there watching Invader Zim or Star Trek or some movie, or playing Fluxx, or something. I’m gonna miss those guys.
So after that, I went to the student union, and wandered around the bookstore for a while. I read a couple of magazines, and I bought a new wallet. The old one is … well, old. Falling apart in several places. The new one isn’t exactly intended as a wallet so much as an ID card holder, but it has two inside pockets and that’s all I need (cards and cash). It’ll help me carry less stuff around.
But the real reason I bought a new wallet today, in the RPI bookstore, was a sudden fit of pre-nostalgia. See, it’s an RPI wallet. Blue leather with the RPI seal on the front. I really will miss this place. I can’t imagine thinking of “home” as anywhere else. That will change, I know. But the transition will make me a (somewhat) sad panda for a while. 
(sad panda face).
Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Right now it’s time for a late lunch.
Aw, Rifty --congrats on graduating and sorry that you have to leave “home”.
Transitions are hard sometimes, but think of Amsterdam–hookers in windows! :eek:
Think of Florida–mosquitos the size of small planes! :eek: :eek:
You are set on a life of adventure and romance, I can just feel it.
2 soccer games (freezing rain) later, we are about to go to #2 son’s Bday party.
Husband has been pissed off all morning (no idea why) but is now taking the foul mood out on the cabinets as he should.
That bread pudding made my mouth water.
Nothing much to say–good luck with the clay and WAKE UP, EVERYONE–it’s almost 3pm here!
Whew - I quit. I just spent 2 hours raking and weeding and bending and lifting in the fresh air and dappled sunshine. For someone who sits in a cubicle all day, that was a workout!! So I’m taking a breather before attacking the kitchen and running the vacuum. Then I’ll shower and collapse. I’ll run my errands tomorrow. It’s 4:30 already and I just don’t feel like driving the 20 miles into California to do my shopping.
I do need to get a few bags of mulch to spread on the bed I raked and weeded. I also think I’m going to dig out the ugly squatty evergreen bushes and put something pretty in there - I’ll pick something out while I’m getting the mulch. If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, I can do that after FCD finishes his project.
He called me from somewhere in Indiana. They estimated 6 or 7 more hours. :eek: I used to drive from West Lafayette to Baltimore and I don’t recall it ever taking only 6 or 7 hours. Even mapquest says over 9.5 hours!! I think my sweetie is out of his ever-lovin’ mind! But he’ll be home tonight, so there’s that.
Almost time to feed the critters, too. And me. What do I want for dinner? Hmmmmmm…
Wow…I think 6 or 7 hours is the standard travel time from here to your neck of the woods, FCM. They must be moving at a darn good clip. It’s about 3 1/2 hours from Indianapolis to Columbus, IIRC.
Transitions are very odd, aren’t they, Spats? It always feels nice to have accomplished something, but then you have this “Now what?” feeling.
Just came back from my friend’s niece’s graduation party. She also just finished her undergrad. She’s taking a year to work and then thinking about grad school. Ran into another friend and her daughter who graduated last week. Can’t believe all these kids are growing up. I’ve known both the graduates since they were 9 or 10.
I considered going out, but it’s gray and raining and I’ve already bought the food essentials, so I think I’ll stay here, do laundry like a good girl, and maybe watch a couple movies.
Well, against type, I went out just to get my hair and nails done. I was supposed to go to dinner with a friend, but she had to cancel. Under ordingary circumstances, I’d have canceled my appointments and crawled back into bed, but I thought “eh, wtf, it’ll do me good to get out of the house” The rain stopped this morning and the sun has actually been out since about 1pm. It was nice out today. I wanted to stay out. But I don’t go to restauants or movies by myself - I’m too self conscious: “oh look” everyone else says “there’s a fat chick. no wonder she’s by herself”. So I called my friend whose wife is leaving him (he’d said he wanted to get together at some point and get drunk), but he’s not home. I called another friend, she’s got the stomach flu. My only other single friend is away for the weekend. All my other local friends are married. All my other single friends are at least one state away. I need more local single friends. Tough to find at my age (40-something)
Well, crap. The bus broke down just outside Wheeling. Something about a wheel bearing. They may be spending the night on the side of the road. Rats. And if they do, I won’t get to see the satellite unloading. Oh well.
Maybe I should just shower and crash.
Hope they’re OK, FCM. Can’t drive without wheel bearings–I had that happen to me once on the way home from the airport. Ugh.
I am off to bed. More ripping out of counters tomorrow.
Happy Mother’s Day everyone. My plans to go to Ikea faded (girlfriend bagged out on me–she has no $). Shoot-that’s what I wanted to do for MD.
I know one thing–I ain’t cooking.*
*mostly because I dont’ have a kitchen!
Whew! I’ve had a busy, busy day! We took the Explorer down to the dealership to fix the broken windshield wiper arm and drove away with a brand new Expedition. You know the deal, broken windshield wiper most definitely means you have to buy a new rig, right? :rolleyes: It sure is pretty though, and drives like a dream.
After that we drove clear out to Fox Island to BBQ at my Dad’s place. We were supposed to be there at 1:00 but didn’t arrive until 3:30 because we were occupied at the dealer.
Mr. Taters is rather sneeeeeaky. I couldn’t figure out why I needed to accompany him to fix my car, but buying the new rig was his evil little plan all along. I thought we were going to wait a couple more months. I’m not complaining, we needed a rig to haul all of us and the boat around. Besides, that new car smell is kinda nice.
Well, Mr. Taters wants to kick me off this computer for now.
Spats, I just wanted to say you are going to start a whole new, exciting chapter in your life. I think you’re going to enjoy it!
Before I run out and do the errands today that I was going to do tomorrow, I just know you’re all dying for an update on the great trek from SF to DC. Aren’t you? Too bad - I’m gonna tell you anyway.
FCD called sometime after 10 last night. I’d just showered and gotten into bed to watch some crappy TV, in case you want to set the scene just so… Anyway, they’d sent the NASA project guy and all their luggage in the truck that was hauling the satellite, so **FCD ** and his tech were going to get a cab to the Pittsburgh airport, then rent a car and drive to Goddard. He was figuring they’d be in DC around 2 AM. As you might have guessed, my husband isn’t too good with estimating time and distances.
Sometime between 4 and 5 this morning, he called from the Navy Research Lab in DC. Lucky for him, I was already awake, or I wouldn’t have heard the phone. We turned off the ringer in the bedroom, since it always scared the crap outta me when it rang - there’s no way to adjust the volume, so it’s off. No matter… Assuming everyone showed up on time (right…) they should be unloading as I write this. Then he’ll come home and crash.
So I’m going to take care of my errands before he gets home. Plus I’ll get some breakfast while I’m out. Then I’ll come home and drag all the dirties to the laundry room, and add his when he gets here. He can sleep while I take care of our clothes. And life will be good.
Oh, and the reason I was awake before 4 this morning?? I was having a dream that I was impersonating a doctor. I was in this teaching hospital and for some reason, it was important that I pass as a physician, so I grabbed a random white coat (well, it works in the movies!!) and did pretty well. Until the real doctor whose coat I was wearing came back. I managed to stand so she couldn’t see her name badge, then I left the coat where I hoped she’s find it. Suddenly, I was outside with my underpants down, and a bunch of construction workers were laughing at me.
Interpret that one, why don’t ya?!?
Once the dream woke me, I thought I heard voices - and I thought FCD might have come straight home for some reason and was watching TV in the family room. But the dog was still snoring on the floor by my bed, and when I looked down the hall, the TV was off and all was dark. So I got back into bed and turned on the TV. In case you’re interested, there’s not much on at 4AM on Sunday when you have cable. Dunno if satellite would have offered more choices.
So I’m up and dressed and about to go forage some breakfast, then do my errands, then come home and await my sweetie. More updates as events warrant.
Incidentally, Taters, you don’t replace a vehicle when the wiper breaks. It’s when the asktrays are full! That’s the rule. Really! I wouldn’t lie. Would I lie??
Finally, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the MMP mommies!
Good morning all!!
Well so much for the 6-7 hours from Goddard idea… Glad everyone’s safe, though. Interesting dream…really does sound like a movie.
Congrats on the new vehicle, Taters. I was thinking that you got a new car when it was time to change the oil. Or was it when the gas tank goes emptyish…?
I was dismayed to wake up at 5:44 again. Fortunately, I was able to turn over and sleep another couple hours.
Now I’m about to collect gardening stuff in case we decide to proceed with planting plans at church. It’s supposed to rain today, but if it’s like yesterday it’ll hold off till tonight. As I recall, everyone involved in planting has plans the next two weekends, so it’s either this week or sometime in June, which would be inconvenient as we’ve already purchased plants…
Guess I should go patch my raincoat…
Happy Mother’s Day, moms!
GT
I’m home, he’s home, life is good - yay!
It occurred to me as I pulled out of my driveway that my plans to stop for breakfast couldn’t include a real restaurant, since they’d all be crowded. So I stopped at Wawa for a muffin and a soda. Which turned out to be the right choice - when I drove past Bob Evans, not even 8AM, the lot was full!
I headed to WalMart for flavored waters and wet dog food and cat food. Not food for wet pets, mind you, but the wet variety - their dinner treats. We give them dry kibble, but in the evening, I mix one packet of wet doggie food in Bernie’s kibble, and I put 1/4 of a can of wet (stinky) cat food in the cat’s wet food bowl. That’s why they badger me around 5 every evening. I’ve now got maybe a 2 week supply of dog food and 48 servings of cat food. Plus an unopened container of kitty litter, and plenty of kibble for both. My animal needs are met for a while.
Next stop was Lowe’s, where I immediately went to Customer Service to find out where our dump cart was. Two weeks ago, we bought a riding mower - not quite top-of-the-line John Deere, but not the cheapy one either. Lowe’s was running a deal where you’d get a dump cart or seeder if you bought a riding mower. We didn’t want a seeder, and they were out of the carts, but they said there’d be a delivery in a week. No big. A week later (last week) I called - no carts, but “Any day now” and they’d call me - this is the third time I was told they’d call me. It’s now 2 weeks, and I still haven’t gotten a call. I informed the ditz at the desk of this. (I’m not rushing to judgement - she fully earned the title of Ditz!)
After 2 intercom pages which got no response, she finally called someone and found out they do, in fact, have the carts and Josh would bring one right out for me. This was the point when I mentioned the three promised phone calls. Nothing. No attempted explanation or half-hearted apology. No acknowledgement that I spoke. Nothing. Then Josh showed up with my cart (assembly required - no big - we have tools) and I signed a receipt. Still no acknowledgement of the inconvenience to me (OK, I was going to Lowe’s anyway…) Nothing.
That’s actually an anomoly at this particular Lowe’s. Usually, they’re very helpful and professional. Except for Ditz. So Josh loaded the box o’ cart into my van, and I went back into the store to get the stuff I wanted in the first place - some shelves for my future studio, some plants to replace the ugly squatty evergreens out front, and a couple of tomato plants. And I got to use the $10 off card I got in the mail the other day, which was cool. That meant I got two of the reduced plants for free! Yay!
And then I came home to my sweetie in the shower. He’s snoozing right now, and I’m supposed to wake him at noon. I’ve got a load of jeans in the washer, and I used my wagon to take the cart and the shelves and 30# of clay down to the basement. I was entitled to a bag of clay for this class, but I’m still using my clay from the last class, so I brought this one home to play with.
I think the balance of today will be laundry and lazy. It’s supposed to rain and thunderstorm, so I’m not going to try to work in the yard. Just gonna be a bum. Yay for bumming!
Frankly I’m shocked at what I have seen in the MMP this morning. I expected much more from you all. Here I am, opening up the window, and accessing the thread, and what dost assault mine eyes? “Happy Mother’s Day, moms!” Frankly, I am appalled that this message is so restricted. Only 1/3 of the world’s population is a mother. What are the rest of us to do? Just sit back and be victimized by neglect? Honestly, people. We need to make sure that everyone, not just mothers, have a happy Mother’s Day.
That in mind, I offer this pronouncement:
Happy Mother’s Day, Men, Women Without Children, and Children!!
