Friday Chit Chat

Morning always seems to come too soon.  Not as cold, in the upper teens this morning so that's a good thing.  And, I just keep remembering how miserable I found FL weather...summer AND winter.  Sounds like they are going to have a miserable repeat of last winter this year, so at least being up here, I'm prepared for the cold.  Doesn't mean I like it, but I'm prepared.....

I am soooo going to try to take it easy today.  I have some catching up to do around the house, but we have the party tonight and I'd rather not be dragging when I show up for that. Fortunately there are no serious nut cases that will be there as far as I know.......

I found a factory authorized place in Michigan to check out my espresso machine, so I am sending it out today.  The machine is 6 years old, way past warranty, but it cost me over $400 when I bought it, so if it can be repaired for about $100, I'd be thrilled.  I think the same machine is now closer to $600.

Glad to read that Clive is home!  Hopefully he settles into a routine relatively quickly.

I'm on an airplane! Yay free Wi-Fi! Heading down to warmer climes for a friend's wedding :)

Dropped Rascal off at "dog camp" for the weekend - they let him go out with the big dogs since there were no other little dogs there. He did so well! There were probably 15 giant dogs, and little Rascal was just walking around, sniffing butts, and if a "scary" dog got too close Rascal would freeze and lift a lip, then the big dog would go away and mind his own business. Very cute. I don't like leaving him in mixed-size company, but this place is the only one in the area where he seems to get along with both the dogs AND the staff. Plus they have smaller, private enclosures where he can hang out by himself if he needs to. Way better than being caged at the vet's.

Can I plug a friend for a minute? :) One of my high school classmates is on NBC, trying to win a record contract - if feel so inclined, please go to http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/vote/ and vote for "The Backbeats." You can vote up to 10 times! You can watch the performances on Hulu or on NBC's website. I think you'll agree that they are pretty awesome :) This classmate of mine caught major grief from his parents when he went into music (as opposed to "a real job";), so this competition means a lot to him.

Great to hear about little Clive joining us! Hope he starts eating better soon!

Sending good thoughts to those that need them, dogs and humans alike!

If work makes you cry, there is something wrong. Ugh. I literally balled my eyes out for a good 30 minutes. Ari makes a fantastic tissue and I've never seen her so concerned/worried (I haven't cried in sometime). My stress level is through the roof. I'm really really worried about getting sick. The last time I got this stressed out, I ended up with the flu, a bad cold, and a stomach virus. I know I should NOT complain. I'm employed, I work from home and my job is as secure as any job can be. I have a nice home, great significant other, however, I just lately feel trapped. I need this job, because there are no other options for me (not unless I want to travel an hour, which I don't). I DO like my coworkers, but it's not like I haven't been looking regularly for anything else for the last 6 months or so....

Maybe it would help if I had more of a life outside of work...

OMG Tina !!!  Those cookies are to DIE for !!!  I had two with my coffee and want more but am trying to resist !!!  Thank you !!

So the BF turned out to be a really nice, cute and personable kid.  We cracked each other up all night !!  They left this morning for a little "tryst" down the shore and will be back on the 23rd to celebrate Christmas.

I can't believe I have to go back to work next week !!

Deb W.

iluvjamison

OMG Tina !!!  Those cookies are to DIE for !!!  I had two with my coffee and want more but am trying to resist !!!  Thank you !!

You are more than welcome!  I'm glad you liked!

I feel torn with this new new cat.  I feel like she needs a second opionion but then part of me has been here before and they will see me coming and it will cost hundreds.  But, her seizures are not well controlled right now. 

Lori, are you near any vet schools that you can get a referral to?  That might be more cost-effective and specific to the seizures (a neuro consult).  I know how hard this is and I admire you for taking her in.

My head is so congested, I don't think many brain cells are operational.  Lets see if I can remember a bit of what's been posted.

Mindy, that's not a good way to be awakened.  ouch. 

Tina, hope your machine can be fixed for a reasonable price. 

Sharon, I'm sorry you're feeling so much stress from your job.  (((hugs)))  Take some time to do something for yourself even if it's just some little indulgence.  Life is too short to be so miserable. 

Courtney, enjoy your weekend of warmth.  Good boy, Rascal. 

Lori, I'm sorry your new kitty isn't responding yet to the meds.  I hope you can get it sorted out without costing you an arm and a leg.  You're a sweetheart to have taken her in despite her medical problems.

OK, I'm crawling back into my cave now. 

the_gopher

Maybe it would help if I had more of a life outside of work...

Sharon - I was feeling the same way as you about my job both in terms of being grateful to have it but miserable. That's what made me decide to start volunteering at the rescues and just taking the first step made me feel soooo much better. I don't know if that would appeal to you or something else, but give some thought to what might make you feel that work isn't the reason you get up every day. (((HUGS)))

Tina - I hope you can get your machine repaired. Based on the cost, it has to be a much better machine than the one I had and probably does a much better job too.

I feel as gloomy as the weather but at least it's Friday and I'm off Monday - yay! I still need to work on Christmas cards and I need to get some stamps. If work stays slow today, I might be able to finish up cards here.

It's supposed to rain a good part of the next 7 days and unless the weather folks are hyping it up, it looks like it should be a doozy at times. They've been letting water out of the dams and reservoirs the last few days in preparation. They've done this in the past and then the storm fizzled out and it turned out to be a bad idea, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.

 Thanks Cathy and Jackie I'm thinking tonight calls for chocolate, wine and a bubble bath. That'll make me feel a bit better! I definitely need a life outside of work and this house. I don't really have any friends up here that I can just go visit with or anything, so that makes it harder. I tried Meetups but there are no groups in my area I'm interested in joining. I might see about volunteering some time for the seniors or animal shelters in the area, that's actually a good idea about volunteering. Right now, I do feel like all I have is work. I already told my out of state best buddy that she needs to throw me a bday get together lol and organize some of our friends for a night out in a few weeks. So, I am already looking forward to that. I might just think about that for the rest of the day, while I slug through the rest of my to do list here at work.

cakana

Tina - I hope you can get your machine repaired. Based on the cost, it has to be a much better machine than the one I had and probably does a much better job too.

It's a Saeco automatic, pump driven.  It was my b'day/mother's day present to myself about 6 years ago.  I've had the $60 manual pots and haven't gotten much more than 3 years out of them; it costs more to fix those than buy a new one.  With the Saeco, I'm hoping to get at least as many years out of it as my truck (which was a 10-15 year plan).  We'll see.  It's all packed up in about 50lbs of bubble wrap and double-boxed.  The repair place isn't far from where my guy friend lives, so I hope to pick it up when I go see him after Xmas.  What better way to ring in the new year than with espresso and s.e.x.?

Not knowing any of you gals yet, I'm hardly going to comment on the last line of the previous post!!

It's finally pretty consistently cold here in NH.  Our first snow is likely this Sunday.  Terrific! NOT, as we will be traveling that day to the one big Christmas party we will attend this year.  Well, it's the "only" Christmas party we will attend this year.  So, I'd like for us not to wreck the cars on a snowy highway on the way home!!  That could put a real dent the holidays!

I do my own plowing.  My truck is all ready to go.  I sort of enjoy plowing, getting to take out my frustrations by pushing the gosh darned snow all over the place.  There is some serious satisfaction to doing it.  But, I really would rather it not snow at all.  I hate snow now that I'm older.  Just got my right hip replaced in October too.  I would really really like to not slip and fall down at any time this winter!!  I'm a bit fearful of that happening. 

No great goings on here today.  My husband took our two bull terrors with him on a day trip.  They love to go for rides in the car.  And that's even though they are crated when traveling.  Don't know that I'm ready for Christmas.  Not that I do that much to prepare for Christmas.  It's just hubby and me, no kids.  Didn't have any.  We pretty much keep all the holidays low key. 

Hope everyone is happy it's Friday!!!  You'll all hate me because I am retired.  So EVERY day is like Friday to me!!  Stay warm everyone!!!

sharismom

What better way to ring in the new year than with espresso and s.e.x.?

  - you go girl!!

My brother has one of those massive, expensive machines that grinds the beans and makes a cup of coffee, mocha, espresso or whatever your heart desires and it does a great job of it.  It's night and day compared to the crummy espresso machine I had. Mine did a lousy job and was a mess to use and clean up. One time I pulled the cup thingy that holds the espresso grounds off too soon and it kind of blew up in my face. I had grounds all over me and the kitchen . That might've been the last time I used it before I gave it away to a charity.