Sunday, November 30, 2008

NaBloPoMo winner!

I did it, I did it, I did it! I blogged all November for NaBloPoMo (in reality, I've now blogged for 2 months straight). Woo Hoo. But it was a challenge and I met that challenge.


Here is a cute cartoon I found a while back in the Washington Post.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

"Oh the weather outside is delightful, the house inside is frightful, have no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Yes, the sun is shining, it is pleasantly not cold, and my house is a complete disaster. I don't even know where to start in the living room to get the kid's junk all cleaned up and furniture moved to put the Christmas tree up. AAARRGGHH!

Okay, so I got home from work yesterday, stopped at the bar and had 3 beers, and was home by 5:00pm. So my evening/night went like this: fed the dog, made myself a rum and diet pepsi, plopped down on my recliner around 6:00pm and fell asleep. I woke back up around 10:00pm, made some toast, and went back to sleep in my recliner. I finally woke up at 2:00am and was up until 5:00am watching CSIs. Made myself go to bed and got up this morning around 11:00am. I just couldn't see wasting a precious, all-alone, Saturday in bed. So I'll go get a shower soon and maybe venture out to Target or somewhere. Get a little bit of shopping accomplished.

Have a great day! And one more day to win NaBloPoMo, I am so excited to be able to follow through on something like this, very proud of myself.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Wow, it's Friday. I almost forgot to blog. I got sent home early from work because no one was there and my boss left early. And then I started drinking. Good thing I caught it. 2 more days.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving to all! It is a day to be thankful for. It's just going to be a nice calm day around here. My kids are at their dad's until Sunday, my hubby is hunting right now, and I am getting ready to bake bread (mmmm, love that smell). In about an hour and a half, I will put in my Italian spiced turkey, my hubby will come home, and we will head out to his sister's for a couple of hours. After that we will come home, pull the turkey out, get the rest of the feast cooked and eat. Then, my hubby will once again leave for hunting. I really don't mind that, I enjoy the quiet time and we (I) will have leftovers. I absolutely love Thanksgiving leftovers. So I better get a move on it, I still need a shower.

And I have blogged every day this month (so far), 3 more days to go!

Everyone have a great, safe, and happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!




It's the day before Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving Eve) and the day before a holiday, for us "feds" usually seems like a holiday also. Hardly anyone going to work and usually the government closes down early. Gotta love the perks. The bus and metro were very dead this morning, now going home might be a different story only because if the government shuts down early, everyone will be leaving at the same time. They don't do staggered closings anymore. Oh well, can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Have a great Thanksgiving Eve.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

So the saga continues: what saga? I don't know. I'm getting busier at work, not 100% busy, but more into the planning. I'm definitely not as bored, which is to be expected when you first start a job; learning the company, learning the business, gathering background information, etc. I still think this is the best move I could have made.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Good Monday Morning! And it is so far. Wonder how this week will work out; 4 day work week interrupted in the middle, kids have 2 days of school and they leave for their dad's Wednesday night until Sunday and then of course, Thanksgiving and hubby leaves that night for hunting until Sunday. I think it is going to be a great week! I love my kids and hubby, but I also love my alone time. There's nothing wrong with that.

So this is week 3 of my new job, pay period 2, can't wait to see what the paycheck brings next week.

Have a good day!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's Football Sunday already. This weekend passed way too quickly. I have no games to watch today (since, you will remember, my Steelers smoked the bungals on Thursday night). Guess I have to watch my hubby's Titans, they just can't go 11 and 0. Have a nice day.

Only 7 more days of November NaBloPoMo, I think I can do it. Go Me!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Look at this great drawing! B drew this for his grandparents, thanking them for taking him to Disney World.

If you could see it real well, you would see that the character's signatures are actually drawn they way they sign them. Too good!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Got a message from our Watch Office announcing that the National Weather Service has issued a "chance of snow flurries or snow showers". Come on, are you serious, that's not worth a weather advisory. Well, actually, in this area, I might be wrong. If a single flake is int he air, people are white knuckling their steering wheel, slamming on their brakes, driving 15 miles under the posted limit. Ok, I'll rethink that announcement. (how ridiculous)

Oh yeah, I seriously love my new job. I am actually working, planning, doing things that will ultimately better the agency. It is so cool! I just hope I can live up to the expectations. (I'm sure I will)

It's Friday, I've worked a whole pay period, woo hoo! And I found out that my previous federal employment has been credited. Each 2-week pay period I am accruing 6 hours of leave, instead of the start-off 4 hours. What a surprise that is, it's great.

Have a lovely evening!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

One of these days I really will catch up on the Word of the Day, it will just be a long, long list. Another long project plan meeting this morning. Yesterday's lasted 3 1/2 hours, we were all brain dead after that (it did make the day go fast though). Today's shouldn't last nearly that long.

Hubby is still in Orange County hunting, or trying to hunt. No one has gotten anything yet and few have actually seen any deer. He comes home bright and early Sunday morning. I would take the kids to Pittsburgh this weekend, but B has 2 basketball scrimmages on Saturday afternoon.

So I'm trying out various times (like 5/10 minute increments) on when I get to the bus and then where I get off the metro. This morning was a later bus and I had to stand on the metro! That was a pain. Practice makes perfect; one of these days I will find the perfect timing (maybe).

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wow, today is Wednesday. It is freezing outside, especially when you have to walk 10 blocks from the metro. Such is life! At least work is good, that I am thankful for.

Happy posting (still on track for every day in November). NaBloPoMo rocks!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Today was a day of meetings, finally getting to use my computer, finding alot of archived documents that I need to review for background, and getting my BlackBerry. Now, the BB just needs to be hooked up to the network and I will be in business. Oh yeah, after I figure out everything I can do with it. I am wired! And it's Titanium.
Good morning Sunshine (or clouds as the case may be).

Monday, November 17, 2008

hmmm, so once again an alien interpreted my phone post. I don't even remember what I was saying, and I'm too lazy to go to the kitchen to get my phone and look at my sent messages. Oh well. It was a sort of long day today, but I did finally get connected at work, that's a bonus. And I did find out that the reason I don't have my BlackBerry yet is because she (???) was waiting on the new ones to come in. Now remember, this is the government, so new may not necessarily mean latest and greatest. I guess we will find out tomorrow or the next day.

Why does my goofy youngest son always have to bother me when I am on the computer? Now that he's read what I just typed, he laughed and is getting embarrassed.

Gotta go and take him, the goofy one, to basketball practice.
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Sunday, November 16, 2008

So a blog is a blog is a blog. It's really not important to anyone except me. And I am now halfway to the whole month of November (NaBloPoMo).

So get this: it really ticks me off. Besides the fact that we are playing pretty much no 1:00pm games this season, they take my husband's team, the Titans, and move them to 4:00pm today. That's when my game is, so who do you think gets the sound and the big screen, none other than the big jerk, of course. That just sucks.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

So after a long (short) first week of work, after the boys were picked up by their dad, I went up to the bar. It was about 6:30pm. Had a few beers and I was home by 8:30pm. So what did I do, I sat down in the recliner and promptly fell asleep. I woke up at 10:05pm, thought about going out, walking up to the bar or the other pub, decided not to decide until I took another nap and finally woke up in the chair at 1:00am. Well, there was still time to go out, but I went straight to bed and didn't get out of bed until 10:30am. That's 12 hours of sleep, I must have really needed it. I guess that's what stress (and complete house emptiness) does to you, it was rather nice now that I think about it. Thanks!

Oh yeah, and my Panthers won their opening NCAA Basketball game, GO PITT!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Wow, leaving work at 4:00 makes such a huge difference - for the worst. I had to stand on the metro, I walked to the Foggy Bottom metro, so I only had to stand for 7 stops, but still. And then, not making any sense, there were only 9 people on the bus. Don't get it. Oh well, suck it up, it is still all for the better. I got my computer at work today, never did get it connected to the LAN, guess that will have to wait until Monday. And I'm assuming I will get my BlackBerry on Monday or Tuesday. The lady in our office who takes care of them was out all week.

So, all in all, it was a great week!
Overtime again! My Penguins are on a roll. I love my Pittsburgh teams (Steelers, Penguins, and yes, even my Pirates).

TGIF! My first week is soon under my belt. Love it.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thursday! I almost forgot to blog, what a huge mistake that would be. I have almost made it through half of NaBloPoMo, I'm on a roll. It's a little hard to keep up with it since I DON"T HAVE A COMPUTER AT WORK YET. Hopefully tomorrow.

I will catch up on all this week's Words of the Day also, probably over the weekend. One more day and I will have worked my first week at my new job. YEAH!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I suppose I'm just going to have to get used to more crowded commutes. My hours, officially, are 7:30am - 4:00. That's not so bad, but I damn well will not be getting up earlier just to beat the crowds. I'll adjust.

This job is going to be great. IT Operations Manager. Sounds good.
Good morning to Wednesday! Yes the later I go to work, the more crowded public transportation is and I don't care for it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

So I started my new job yesterday, it was a long short day. All morning was orientation. They finally figured out where I was then supposed to go (my office) and I read some more. After a while my 2 co-workers and I went out to lunch. Came back and read some more, filled out some more forms and went home at 3:00 (hence the short part). This will be good, it feels fabulous being back in safety and can't wait to see the first paycheck.

And today is Veteran's Day, so I am off. What perks!

I haven't done word of the day in a few days, I'll get back to it a little later. One child is off to school, the other is eating waffles, I'm going to get a shower and then....I think I am going gambling. My husband will be working hard all day trying to finish 2 jobs so he can leave for hunting tomorrow. If he doesn't finish, he may not leave until Thursday. Noooooo, please leave tomorrow, I need some peace. Okay, I pick on him alot, I know. He is just so opinionated and gets mad at the tiniest little things, he needs to buy some patience. I will admit he has calmed down alot since I met him, but still. Oh well, it is what it is.

Have a great day and one of these days I really am going to change and fix my template.

jinxygrrl

Monday, November 10, 2008

First day success! My boss wasn't in today which i think made for a less stressful opening act. Tons of paperwork to fill out, of course.
First day, tad bit nervous.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Oh no! This is it. I start a new job tomorrow. Actually, according to the government, I am employed today, today is the start of the pay period and I am on it. Believe me, I'm not opposed to change, I can't wait, it is just going to be the strangest thing. I have been at the same 2 places for the last 18 years and it will be sooooo different. A whole new culture, anxiety and apprehension are present.

I went shopping yesterday, for myself. This is something I haven't done in about 3 years. Money is tight, I don't usually by myself clothes, but yesterday I spent some money, probably money I don't have. But that's how important this job is. It will be worth it.

Go Steelers! We play the Colts today and it shouldn't be a good game, we should blow them out, but I think I get nervous for every game because its like they say: "any given Sunday".

Saturday, November 8, 2008

I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My husband was supposed to leave dark and early this morning, around 3, to go south to hunt. He was stoned ass drunk last night and didn't get up until about 4 and after much wrangling decided not to go. Damn it! I would have had the whole house to myself all day long and I think that is why I am grumpy. Do you ever just count on some little things and when they don't fall into place, you just feel blah? That has to be it.

So welcome to Saturday. At least I have kept up my blogging for NaBloPoMo, my blogging is pretty much about nothing, but it is consistent.

I wonder if I have a word of the day.....I do not, maybe it will arrive later.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Unemployed

Unemployed?!? I would go nuts if I really was unemployed. I've been between jobs now for 2 whole days and I am bored silly. Can't stand it. Being off on weekends is different somehow.

jinxygrrl
My husband finally shot his first of the season, a buck. I think he has been out hunting every morning before work almost every single day since opening bow season. At least I don't have to hear him moaning and whining and complaining about every little thing now (fingers crossed).

Today's Word of the Day is Olfactory which means of smell; having to do with smelling.

The sun is out this morning, it is pretty darn warm for 8:00 am, have to get outside today and do something.

I'm pretty lame, after I screwed up my blog's template last week, I said I was going to work on it, instead I just slapped another on and didn't even add back the widgets. I promise I will work on it today!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Unemployed

Good morning, so officially I am unemployed (and loving it), but only for the next 3 days. Kinda dreary weather outside, my middle schooler was hard to get up this morning (that's why I am not sleeping in on my days off). He's up now, getting some breakfast, I have my coffee, soon to get a shower. I think today I am going to visit Charlestown, I feel the gambling need. Wish me luck!

The Word of the Day for today is - have to open another tab and get into mail - Mot juste. It means a word or phrase that exacts fits the case, hmmm, I'll have to give an example: "With his high forehead, beard and meticulous concentration on the mot juste, Mr. MacNicol could almost pass for the great minor poet that Mark Van Doren deemed Richard to be.-- Frank Rich, 'Richard II' in the Park, New York Times, July 9, 1983", and hmmm again, I'm still a little off on this word.

I am thinking of getting a "verizon your name" domain, but I can't think of anything I really want. The few I searched for are, of course, taken. Taken but not used, not fair. I guess I will have to think about this for a while.

Have a nice day!

jinxygrrl

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Wow...done, complete, finito, the end. Modified life starts Monday.

Election

So that's it, it's official, we are f'd.

Today's Word of the Day is Footless. 1. without a foot or feet; 2. figuratively, without support; not substantial; 3. inept, awkward.

Might be a little light on the Word of the Day for a while, you know, starting the new job and all.
Last metro ride to L'Enfant Plaza. :-)

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Pittsburgh Steelers Rule!

PITTSBURGH STEELERS RULE! How about them boys? Just trashed the deadskins, yeah, no interceptions thrown this year until you meet the Steelers. Way to go Pittsburgh!

The word for today is Epicure - 1. a person who enjoys eating and drinking and who it very particular in choosing fine foods and beverages; gourmet, 2. a person who is fond of luxury and pleasure.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Remember the "stepsheet".
How about start with a description of all customers at the bar, not just the "writer". Don't call attention to him yet.
"A plot is a sequence of imagined events which the writer converts into scenes populated by imaginary people." ~ William G. Tapply

Word of the Day

Okay, before I get to the Word of the Days (for the past 3 days), let me just remind you, in case you forgot, that I only have until Wednesday in this fair land of HUD. Do you think I am excited?

Friday's Word of the Day - Gloaming, means Twilight; dusk.

Saturday's Word of the Day - Abate - 1. to make or become less in force or intensity; decrease or diminish, 2. to be at an end; become null and void, 3. to deduct from something; reduce.

Sunday's Word of the Day - Addle - 1. to make or become muddled or confused, 2. to make or become rotten or putrid.

And Today's Word of the Day is Aquiline - 1. curved like an eagle's beak, 2. of or like an eagle.
So Saturday night I set all the clocks in the house back EXCEPT my own frickin' alarm clock. Yeah way too early to be on the metro. Stupid!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Good Morning all! This weekend feels like a lost weekend, I think being off on Friday (for the last 3 weeks) has done something to me. I feel like my 3 day weekends go by in a blur, I don't get anything accomplished and feel like crap. Maybe this is still apprehension over starting a new job - in 8 more days - and being finished with HUD forever. Yeah, I think that has to be a part of it.

Well, we don't play football until tomorrow night - Steelers / Deadskins, going to be a great game and we will come out victorious. Go Steelers!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Welcome to NaBloPoMo

I am doing it. NaBloPoMo in the month of November, I have started on my way. Wish me luck, I may need it.