Update on life

I somehow missed in my last post that I had a growth on my right thumb. Sorry, no pictures of that. Two days after that post I had surgery to remove it. Turns out it was a Giant Cell Tumor (completely benign, apparently they just happen sometimes). The bump on my thumb was about the size of a grape (imagine cutting a grape in half lengthwise and sticking it on your thumb, that's what it looked like). I'm sure the actual tumor was only about the size of a pea. The doctor told me it looked really cool; I took his word for it. So typing hasn't been that fun for the past couple of weeks. That's my excuse for not blogging, and I'm sticking to it! You never really realize how much you use something like a thumb until you can't. It's healing nicely, though. Even my chiropractor was impressed.

My sister asked about my car. That's kind of a story too. I took it in on Wednesday, and explained what I knew of the problem, and they had never heard anything like that before. After some investigation they discovered that there was a known problem with Saturn Ion ignitions where the code from the ignition switch got lost to the car's computer. If I'd mentioned the problem a couple years ago I wouldn't have had to pay for it to be fixed. ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!! Ok, different dealership where I take my car now, and the guys took good care of me and my car. except that they couldn't get to it on Wednesday. So they got me a rental car. It was a tank. A Chevy Pilot (or whatever their biggest SUV is). I did ask for something smaller, but they didn't have anything. Driving that thing brought back memories of driving the van my family had when I was learning to drive. But this one was bigger. And way tricked out. While it was kind of nice to be The Biggest Car on the Road, it was also not so nice that it took the seat 30 seconds to move (automatically) to where my feet could reach the pedals. Yeah, not a car for me, methinks.

So Thursday was the day I was having hand surgery. My very good friend drove me (and even took me to my morning appt at the podiatrist since getting up to Bal'more for the surgery would have been a timing issue otherwise). It was a local anesthetic, but they put a covering over my head so I couldn't see what they were doing (thank goodness!). Anyways, my friend drove me back to my house, to the pharmacy at the grocery store to get my prescription pain killers, and then even helped me return the Beast and pick up my car from the dealership. Her other car is an SUV so it wasn't as big a deal for her. And it turned out we only used one gallon of gas, so that's all I paid for :) So the car is fixed. No more worrying about whether or not it will start in the morning.

So since then I've basically just been hanging out reading (check my goodreads.com list for the books I've read over the last two weeks), watching tv, and sleeping. Ok, so I did go back to work the following Monday, but again, very limited when you can't type properly. Left early several days that week, the prescription they gave me wiped me out. Kitty was very happy, though. Ani not so much. I'd leave the door to the basement open so he could come upstairs, then lay on the couch reading, and sure enough he'd come up, but then see that I was there and get this, "Oh crap! The human is home!" look on his face. Then try to chase Kitty. I also got a U-shaped body-pillow, and man it was so comfy! Or maybe that was the drugs too... Still have it, still use it. Last night was the first full-night's sleep I had in a while. Even Kitty didn't wake me up (she usually does around 4 in the morning).

I think that's it for now. Bye!

Happy New Year!!

Yes, I know, the title is so popular almost everyone is using it :)

had a great Christmas with my sister and her family--very low key, the way I like it. got back and put in some time for work (this borrowing vacation time from the future is very exhausting! This should be my last year of doing that, though). New Years Eve went to a movie and lunch with my friend, then developed a severe headache and cancelled my NYE plans with a different friend. I really just wanted to stay home and watch movies with my kitties anyway.

Kitty wasn't too thrilled about me being gone, but loved having me home for last weekend. I would lay on the couch and she would curl up by my face--not on my face, you understand, I could still breathe without getting fur up my nose, and see the tv if necessary. We played with her stick&string toy, and she got to go in and out as much as she wanted to. Which wasn't a whole lot, since it was pretty cold outside.

Ani... well, he didn't seem to notice that I'd been gone, but he did make a few forays upstairs not knowing I was home yesterday. He managed to corner Kitty in the kitchen at one point, but I stopped that. I wish my kitties would get along. :(

Monday I had all these plans for shopping and stuff, but Sunday I did my finances and realized that shopping was probably not a good option. I have just enough for the bills I have left to pay and maybe some milk at the store, and that's about it until payday.

This morning was weird. When I got up, the sky was overcast. When I went downstairs after getting ready for work, the sky was clear. When I put the recycling out, I saw storm clouds moving in from the northwest, and the light was a yellowish color. Plus a few snowflakes. Snowflakes??? Yup. Let Kitty out for her morning constitutional, and about 5 minutes later she was desperately trying to get back in--it was definitely snowing. Light, powdery stuff. Too late for TPTB to cancel school, and it stopped before I went outside to start my car for work. Weird, weird weather this morning.

And my car started!!!! Why is this a big deal? I'm sure I've posted before about this, but for those of you who haven't heard, my car has a really funky ignition. It's a Saturn ION, and for some reason in this model they use some sort of fluid to carry the spark from the place where you turn the key to the thing that starts the engine. (yeah, ok, my brother owns a car repair shop and I don't even know the parts to the engine thingy). so back to my story. When it gets cold, the fluid won't carry the spark, and the car won't start. Up until this year this happened maybe 2-3 times a winter. A little more during Snowmageddon, a little less on milder years. This year, however, it's been 2-3 times per week. This is not acceptable. Takes me 1o-15 minutes to get my car started. How do I get it started? By warming up the key, sticking it in the ignition, and repeat. I have a lighter in my car now for this purpose. Better than running from the stove in my house to the car in the parking lot. Oh how I wish for a garage sometimes! I'm taking it to be serviced tomorrow (Wednesday), and I've told them about the problem, so hopefully they can think of something. Other than "Just buy a new car, silly girl!" I really don't want a car payment until at least after the family reunion next year. I don't want to tie up my funds that way.

Ok, enough of that. Here's hoping this year is a good one, for one and all!

Cat antics

I really need to get some more pictures of my cats. They are so funny these days!

Last week Kitty wanted outside, so I let her, but when it was time for her to come inside (so I could go upstairs and go to bed), she didn't come! I called and called, and finally went to bed anyway. I had a really restful night's sleep. Hmmm. She was ready to come in in the morning, though.

Ani has been getting braver. When I go downstairs to feed him I sit and read for a while, and he's been slowly getting closer to where I sit. Someday I hope he'll be brave enough to come close enough for me to have him smell my hand. Maybe even let me pet him. I have been leaving the door open between the basement and the rest of the house whenever I'm home, and I think this has been helping. I find him in the mornings on the main floor curled up in Kitty's place. Well, she doesn't actually sit there anymore ;) One morning I didn't see him--until he leaped up from the couch where he'd been sitting and ran for the basement! Yup, he still runs from me :(

Sunday mornings are way more fun. I lay on the couch reading quietly, Kitty sitting somewhere near by--on the rocking chair, or the floor, or even up on the window sill (just not where That Boy has been sitting). Ani will slink upstairs, making little mewing noises to Kitty, calling to her. Kitty will growl. Ani will edge closer and mew. Kitty will growl. this continues until Ani gets inside Kitty's personal space, and she hisses (it's about 3 feet from wherever she is). One morning Ani lay down and presented his cute white belly to her. "See," he seemed to say, "I'm not a threat. I just want to play with you." "Go away," she growled. "I don't like other cats!"

Ah Kitty. I hope she will accept him someday. I hope Ani will accept me someday. I hope Kitty will stop attacking me because she has an appropriate play friend (who can defend himself if necessary). I think I'm in an odd sort of relationship triangle with my cats...

My week has been crazy. I'm trying to fit in some extra hours at work so I can take off next week and not have to dip into next year's vacation (yup, I'm almost out). Then, of course, things keep coming up in the evenings so I have to leave, and then after I get home I stay up too late so it's hard to get up the next day (for example, last night I was getting things ready for tonight's Ward Halloween Party). Exercise has gone out the window, and actually so has tracking, though i was very good on Monday and Tuesday. Today not so much. Tomorrow should be better. I was going to help with the Stake Service day, but one of the events was canceled, so I think they're all going to descend upon the Stake Center where I was going and as much as I love hanging out with these people, large crowds make me anxious. Kind of like Ani, only the size of crowd he can handle is, well, one. Sometimes. Anyway. But in the afternoon I'm going to see Disney on Ice with a friend and her daughter, so that will be very fun (and keep me out of the kitchen). Then in the evening I have a fun thing planned, but don't want to say anything until I do it. I promise, you'll be among the first to know.

And then next week I have Mon, Tues, and Wed and then I go to CALIFORNIA!!! :D Definitely will post about that then too :)

Queen of the Castle

She sits on my Jewelry box, surveying the scene
To all in my house, she is the queen.

She sits there in the mornings sometimes as I get ready for work. Those who follow me on Facebook know that she scratched me in the face last Friday, and smacked me again on Monday. But now I use my pillows as shields and she doesn't like that too much. She's gone back to attacking my ankles.

In other news, I'm FINALLY released from Ward Chorister. I still have two other callings, plus Visiting Teaching, never fear, but it will be nice to not always be 'on' when I'm at church. And sit in the congregation. And sing whatever part I feel like when singing hymns. Including descants.

I'm taking Spanish lessons now--second one was this week. I'm bad at practicing when I'm at home, though. You queiro espanol, pero no quiero a trabajar. I want to learn Spanish, but I don't want to put in the work. Same with my piano lessons. Yes, taking piano lessons from a woman in my ward. It's really fun. She encourages me to practice but is so completely understanding when I don't. She give me a lot of leeway too, since I do actually know how to play, I just need the encouragement and discipline of taking lessons. She's great (yes, it's Ashley, for those who know her).

I went to a play called 'Or', put on at the Howard County Community College, with a couple friends from the drama club. It was... performed very well. Set in the 16th century a woman has affairs with the King, an actress, and her former lover, a spy. She was a spy before too, but now is trying to be a playwrite. There were elements of humor, but a lot of bad language and even more innuendo, and lots of kissing. Everyone kissed this woman. Yes, I mean everyone. Can't really recommend it to my LDS friends, but those who are not might like it. My friends enjoyed it quite a bit. And like I said, it was performed very well.

Not much else going on. Going to the RenFest tomorrow, provided I can get my driver's license renewed in a reasonable amount of time. If not, I guess the yard is finally going to get worked on :)

Things that come in threes...

Who knew disasters also follow the 'rule of three'? We had an earthquake, a hurricane, and now flooding. Lots and lots of flooding. Not where I live--I'm on the top of a little hill, so my house doesn't get flooded and the nearest stream is at the bottom of the street about 1/4 of a mile away. I haven't lost power, and I haven't had any other major issues either, so I'm quite blessed. The roads I take to work are high and, well, mostly dry. Just rained on, not covered like my friends' roads. My cats have been particularly ornery this week, but that could be put down to the weather too, right? After all the thunder and lightening, I'd be a wreck too if I was small and completely dependent on my human.

Speaking of cats, my orange kitty is bucking to get herself made into chili. Yeah, you heard me. Cat chili. She's been attacking me regularly this week, so last night I clipped her claws. How did she get me back? She clawed me in the face. Only one scratch drew blood, I suppose I should be grateful for that, the little brat. One of my home teachers keeps referring to her as Chili, because he says he'd be happy to put her in a pot. She keeps this up and I just might take him up on it. She wouldn't be adoptable since she scratches people, so I can't take her to a shelter, and a rescue, well, she'd just be placed somewhere with other cats, whom she HATES. So I'm thinking the chili pot is the place for her. Ok, I'm only kidding. Mostly. Stupid cat anyway.

Speaking of ornery cats, Ani has been regressing. He was coming out for a bit, but now he just hides. He comes out to eat, but last night with all the thunder and lightening he hid in the laundry room. I tried to get him to sniff my hand, but he just hissed at me. Maybe I should give him back to his rescue. At least there he'd have other cats to play with. Or maybe I should bring a little friend home with me tomorrow from the cat show...

Yes, going to the cat show tomorrow with a few friends. That should be a lot of fun.

Last weekend went to the Renaissance Festival with friends. That was a lot of fun. I also went to the Maroon 5/Train concert with a friend. That was a lot of fun too. I do have pictures, but they're still in my camera. This has been a busy summer. And every weekend for the next month or so is busy too.

So weird

There are like three or four blogs that I can no longer comment on. For some reason, Blogger doesn't recognize me on those blogs and won't allow me to log in (even though I tried three times!). I put in the stupid word verification and everything, but no. No comments allowed. I know it's just me, though, because other people comment on these particular blogs. Now I have friends out there who think I don't care about them because I can't comment :( This makes me sad.

In other news, my cold is finally (almost) gone. Lots of going home early to sleep. Ani has been getting his supper at 8:00pm instead of 10:00pm, which allows me plenty of time to read without thinking, "I have to go to bed sometime tonight, you know." He's been coming out a little farther, but the whole being sick thing set him back, I think. I worry about him not getting enough exercise (he doesn't seem to like things that move unexpectedly, so that's an issue). I did make a treat bottle for him--soda bottle with holes cut in it so I can fill it with treats and they come out when he moves it. I don't think he really plays with it, though. I did order a couple treat-dispensing balls, though. I'm going to put his regular food in one and see if he manages to keep from starving to death. Which he won't since I bring him canned food each evening, but hopefully he'll get the idea and start playing. I want him to be happy.

Padme Kitty is being her usually cranky self. She loved having me home for four days to open doors for her and lay on when she wanted to nap (I actually really like it when she does that). She's been attacking me at night again, though. I try to play with her--her new favorite toy is a stick with a string on it (used to have a toy, but Ani ate part of the string the last time he came upstairs and Kitty decided she likes it that way). Sometimes she just sits and looks at my feeble attempts to flick the string until I get tired. She will stand at the door and meow until I come over, but she doesn't want out, she wants something else, but what she does is walk into the kitchen and eat. I think she's a bad influence.

Went to a show Saturday night, my first venture after starting to feel better. It was with the Drama Club, and since I'd already paid for it and felt much better, I decided I would still go. It was "Anything Goes" at Toby's Dinner theater (http://www.tobysdinnertheatre.com/). It was very good. it was dinner and the show, and dinner was good too. I didn't over eat the meal, but then Chris egged me into ice cream and a slice of cheesecake. He's definitely a bad influence--one of those guys who can eat anything and never gains a pound, then feels guilty when he's the only one eating so he tries to get other people to continue eating. I really need to not sit near him for meals. Sunday I made it to church, which was good since the other guy who helps run Nursery was sick this week. Only 12 kids, only one crier--she's still fairly new, although her older brother is in the class and has stopped crying. There should have been another crier, but I just couldn't handle two of them and no one else had shown up to help yet, so the dad just took her with him. He won't be able to do that much longer, though. Good thing I'm over my cold, right?

No major plans this week or weekend, just working on the costumes for the play I'm in. Here's the flyer, made by one of our drama people. She's very talented.

I will be going to some concerts in August, though. Let you know about that then :)

Climbing the Empire State Building

Ok, not literally, but our challenge in my WW meeting is to climb enough stairs in 30 days to have climbed the Empire State Building. 1576 steps is 53 steps per day for once, 106 steps per day for twice. Steps going down don't count, even if you have to go back down in order to go back up. My building at work has 98 steps from the first floor to the fifth floor (I may have mentioned this before). Just a few more steps and I'll have climbed it twice--except that I expect weekends to be more difficult, and I always take Sunday's off. Anyone want to climb with me?

In other news, my cats are still not friends. I guess that's really not news, though. I deliberately left the door to the basement a little ways open, and sure enough at 4:30 in the morning I heard the sound of cats getting ready to fight. Fortunately that's all they do, make a lot of noise then run. Kitty later smacked me in the face--still not sure if it's because I didn't want to get out of bed or if she was still upset at the interloper.

Also in other news, I'm in a play. I'm in the APL drama club, and I auditioned for "The Mouse that Roared". Not really as nerve-wraking as it sounds, given that there were more parts than people who showed up. I actually got three parts, small ones all. I'll also be helping with costuming again (I helped with costuming on their last--which was also their first--production).

Nursery is a breeze these days--last week we had the most we've had since January began--7. Yup. Seven kids. There are actually about 10 on the rolls, but with colds and travel and everything, I doubt we'll get all of them there on the same week. Kind of nice after the 16-18 kids we had before.

Stake History is pretty much done for now. I'll be sending out reminders at the end of each month so hopefully next year won't be as stressful, but that was a lot easier than I expected. And this year I can keep an eye out for what's going on in the stake and be more pro-active about getting write-ups and details.

Ok, time for the next meeting (hey, it's lunchtime, I'm allowed!)

On the Grid

Saw TRON: Legacy last weekend. You know, it occured to me last night as I was waiting to fall back asleep, that our current society has been influenced by the original TRON. After all, how many times do we talk about being "on the grid" or "off the grid"? That came from TRON. Interesting, huh? Also saw Chronicals of Narnia (again, for movie reviews, see sidebar). I really liked them both. Here's hoping when TRON:Legacy comes out on DVD, the original will too.

Preparations for Christmas have been consuming me lately, but I think I'm almost done. Still need to do my Christmas Cards and letters--I've been considering just sending cards this year. I just can't think of what to say for my Christmas letter.

Friday Night I went with my friend and her kids to see the Symphony of Lights in Columbia. They have all these figures set up with lights throughout the Merriweather Post Pavillion. The kids were so thrilled to see all the lights, especially the 2-year-old. Christmas is so much better with children!

Saturday night I went to the Helicon Concert in Towson (north of Baltiomore). Three guys, one on Hammered Dulcimer or fiddle (Ken Kolodner), one on guitar, piano, citar or other stringed instruments (Robin Bullock), and one on flute, small bag pipes, or other 'toot'ed instruments (Chris Norman) playing seasonal music--not just Christmas, but also for Winter Solstice and even some Hannekah. Ken's son Brad played with them this year on a couple of their songs, playing a banjo and another instrument I didn't catch the name of. It's always a good concert, and puts me in the Christmas spirit. My friend K promised to put it on her calendar for next year (Dec 17, 2011).

Last night was amazing. We had a Lunar Eclipse. It is also the Winter Solstice today. This convergence of events hasn't happened for centuries--since Galileo was alive. My friend M assures me that it will happen again this century (2094). Not sure I plan on being around for that, though. Here's a picture or two from my iPhone (didn't turn out very well, but consider the source)

This last one I tried to zoom in, so it's really on it's side. I suppose that, even though the moon was red, it was still eclipsed so the pictures wouldn't be all that great to begin with. Not a lot of light. Except for the street light behind me. Why did they have to fix it so soon! It was out for a few days, I could have waited a little longer for it to be fixed!

I did go out in my backyard for a while where my house blocks the street light, but my Kitty wouldn't come out with me--not because it was cold (she went out in the front of the house with me) but because she'd have to pass through Ani's territory. I tried to get her, but she didn't want me to do that either. Oh well. Silly Kitty. While there, I picked some rosemary for the dinner I'm making today (crock-pot). I wonder if it's significant to pick rosemary under the light of an eclipsed full moon? Probably not.

They're calling for snow on Saturday. Yes, Christmas Day. It should be beautiful, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to travel down to my friend's house in NoVA if it does. Too many crazies on the road, even on a holiday.

So far I've watched Holiday Inn and White Christmas, on AMC. I also caught most of "The Major and the Minor" with Ginger Rogers. Very fun. A little weird having a 30-year-old pretend to be 12 (she only had half-fare for the train), but as the narrator said, audiences were more generous back then (it was made in the 30's, pre-war). Hey, C, there's another movie for you!

Ah, Christmastime!

Parties and shows and movies and so much yummy things to eat! But that's not what Christmas is all about. Lest we forget, it's about the wondrous Gift given almost 2000 years ago by Heavenly Father to us and then from Christ to us as he gave himself a ransom for our sins (ok, I am actually borrowing phrases from hymns, so sue me).

I was reminded of this last Sunday night as I went to the Christmas Devotional at the stake center. I normally just stay home and miss it, but this year I'd leant three of my nativities to the annual display, and needed to pick them up, so I went to the broadcast (something my church does every year the first Sunday in December). I sat and knit (I have to knit, my presents aren't finished yet!) and listened and was reminded of what's truly important.

I had a nice Thanksgiving at my friend Kellie's house. We were joined by another family, so the table was full, and the food was very yummy. Kellie and I then went to visit another friend, afterwards returning to watch an episode of LOST. Always a good time.

The next day I braved the stores, but not until about 9:00am, and hit a nice lull--the lines were actually fairly short, and the stores weren't crowded. I got all the fabric I should need for the next year for baby blankets, and even did some other shopping. Then home to put things away and cuddle with my kitty.

Kitty's been very nice lately (ok, not this morning, but that was my fault). I think she's trying to show me that she's the 'good' cat. Ani, on the other hand, is still hiding behind the futon in the basement. I bought him a nice fluffy pad that should help him keep warm, but it also has the effect that I can't see him when he's on it. In a day or two I'm going to switch it with the one I bought Kitty--identical pads (actually, two in one box), so maybe they can start getting used to one another's smell. Ani still seems quite timid, but does seem like he's adjusted to his new situation. I just need Ani and Kitty to not fight--even if they ignore each other, that would be ok too.

Went to see HP7 pt1 that weekend as well--I really liked it. My main frustration with the whole movie series is that they left out a couple of key things in the previous 2-3 movies that would have made the beginning of this movie make a lot more sense. I'm still mad they didn't include Dobby in Goblet of Fire, but oh well. I suppose I shall have to just deal with it. He's back in this movie, finally. they still skip over too many things, expecting people to have read the book, I imagine, but that's ok.

The last week has been rather tame as I have been busy at work trying to finish up a document. It's done now, thankfully. Got lots to do still at home to finish getting ready for Christmas. And I have no idea what to put in my annual Christmas letter!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Combratt

Hmm, what is combratt? Sounds like fighting siblings to me ;)

so it's been a little while. I had one crazy week (I think I blogged about that), then a week or so of down-time. And being sick again.

I did, however, manage to see MegaMind with my friends last Saturday. So FUN! course, one of my friends hates 3D so I'm going to have to go back and see it again, so terrible. Definitely putting this on my list of DVD's to get when it comes out.

Ani and I seem to be going back and forth--some days we have progress, some days we don't. He hasn't been eating the last couple of days, but last week was a little traumatic with my cleaning lady and then my friends coming over to meet him. But it's going to be ok. Kitty, on the other hand, was very sweet to me while I was sick. Of course, now that I'm going back to work (and no longer at her beck and call--or is that bite and meow?), she's getting a little temperamental again.

Halloween was very fun--the Trunk or Treat at the church was great (and yes, the same family won the costume contest yet again--do the judges even look at the other costumes anymore? There were some really good ones that I felt should at least be acknowledged (two words: Bee Family)). I got rid of all my candy there. Halloween was on Sunday this year, but that doesn't make a big impact on me--I just stay home and hand out candy anyway. I got rid of all my candy there too. I even pulled out the small bag I'd put in the freezer for myself--I don't need that stuff. And I made cupcakes for the Nursery kids--they love that :D I do too, actually :)

Nothing major expected this week, thank goodness.

On the weight-loss front, I am making progress. I now have an exercise ball with dvd that I actually used last night (the first night I had it). It came with a 10-week exercise planner, too. I'm thinking 15 lbs in 10 weeks, and significant shrinkage in the tummy area. It annoys me to no end that the clothes I had last time I was at this weight I can't fit into now because all that re-gained weight ended up right on my tummy. :( Yes, I know the next 10 weeks includes both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but since I won't be going anywhere (i.e. to visit family) for either, I'm thinking I can be reasonable while at home and watch my portion sizes while out. The main goal is to be 30 lbs less by next June, because next June I'm going to CHINA.

Yes, that's right, I'm going to CHINA. For one of those ad-hoc choir tour things that I did three years ago and went to Austria and Germany. Same person organizing it--not the same company but that's ok. She's the one that did all the work. I'm so excited!!! And yes, that is another reason I'm not going anywhere for the next six months. I might even get my house and yard straightened out :)

Unless, of course, some Major Family Event happens. Exceptions can be made for marriages and possible mission farewells (though the next one probably won't be until after I get back from China, and will most likely be in the fall). And of course the Family Reunion (which is also next June--I hope the two don't conflict!)

Crazy time

I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Not that I've ever seen such a thing, but my mother assured me that such a thing does happen.

Last week it felt like I had something going on every single night. It went something like this:

Monday: go shopping (flaked out--whoops)
Tuesday: really go shopping (major shopping trip to BJ's to stock up for the winter, as well as a side trip to Hobby Lobby because I'm so excited we have one in my area now). had to go directly after work to avoid the problem I had on Monday. Also had to stop after work at the American Radiology place for X-rays. I sat there for 30 minutes watching everyone who came in after me get called up. I finally practically ran up to the counter and they agreed to talk to me, but when I showed them my doctor's orders they said they didn't do that particular scan at that office, I'd have to go to Glen Burnie. Which would be closing in 5 minutes. Couldn't they have told me that earlier? When there was a chance I could make it to the Glen Burnie office that day? sigh.
Wednesday: really go get my scan taken (btw, nothing serious, just a check to see how much shorter my left leg is than my right) in Glen Burnie. Go pick up veggies from friend. Stop by baby shower.
Thursday: participate in Oktoberfest at work (the games part, and dinner), then go to LDS temple with friends (visiting teachers).
Friday: go to grocery store, then go out to New Market to see my former-roommate-now-friend Lisa and her fiance for dinner and movie at their house (he's actually staying somewhere else, but they get together every night at the house that they're buying--trust me, it's 'lds-legal').
Saturday: I did get to sleep in and veg, but then went to VA for dinner with friends and out to Cox Farms for their Fields of Fear. That was really fun. I don't like being scared, but we had a couple of screamers/teenagers in our group that set off all the scarey/surprise stuff before we got there. We did the Corn maze, the hay ride, a slide, and had too-hot spiced apple cider (my tounge is finally recovered from the burn, but it was worth it!).
Sunday: get up early and go to church for Choir Practice. Choir sang in church that day, then went to Nursery to find only one other person there to assist. We had a couple volunteers come in, including our sub while one of our other workers is gone for work, so it ended up ok, but three adults and 12 kids is really not fair odds. Especially with one little girl who just would not go play on her own, she had to be with one of us the entire time. So I did go home and crash and then stay up too late. Sigh.

So needless to say, I'm kind of tired (read: Exhausted) today.

On the cat front, Kitty was nice to me yesterday, but Saturday night she was less than thrilled that I came home and just wanted to go upstairs. I have the scars on my leg to prove it. Which really itches like crazy right now (that means it's healing, right?). Ani, on the other hand, has been responding to my bringing him food, and even played with me a little yesterday evening. I'm hoping he'll come out from behind the couch sometime this week. I'm going to try to encourage that.

This week should be LOT more calm. Only two planned evening activites: Medieval Times on Wednesday and our church Trunk or Treat on Friday. Should be fun!

A little excitement

We're conducting fire drills at work today. So this annoyingly loud, piercing noise goes off, complete with flashing lights, and we get to go down the stairs from the fifth floor, ready to head out of the building. We actually get stopped on the second floor by a fireman who told us we didn't have to go *all* the way outside unless the whole building was on fire (the drill was just for our floor). So we waited for a few minutes for them to give the all clear, and then we were climbing back up the stairs (72 steps) back up to our offices. I'm awake now, thank you very much!

My cat Kitty was very good last night. She stayed with me all night and didn't attack me once! I had such a headache (which I still have but can't feel at the moment thanks to the Excedrin I took this morning) that I kept waking up, and there she was, laying beside me all night long. OK, well, once I woke up and she was on the window sill making sure the neighborhood was still safe, or maybe just being nosy, but the rest of the night she was right there. She didn't attack me once! Unfortunately, this morning, little Ani decided to come upstairs. I heard the alterctaion and ran to stop it, so I'm hoping there was no physical contact, just the roar of an angry cat. I've blocked Kitty upstairs while I'm gone today--I want Ani to be able to come upstairs without fear, or at least when I'm around and can keep Kitty from fighting him. I have to do something to get her used to him, I think he's ok with her, but I can't be sure.

I did good with my addictions yesterday too. Only watched 2 shows, ate dinner while watching but then stopped eating. Didn't spend the time playing Tetris while watching either. I've been doing that a lot lately. If I'm not going to watch tv, I shouldn't turn it on, right? Silly Julia.

by now, time to get back to work!

blessons

Was commenting on my friend's blog today, and this was my word verification word. What could such a thing mean, I wondered.

bles-sons: the blessings sons bring to us
b-lessons:lessons on how to be
bless-ons: keep on blessing

Funny how sometimes they seem so appropos, and the rest of the time they're just a jumble of letters.

As for my 'son', he's a little upset with me. I started cleaning out the closet under the stairs where he hides. He kept giving me dirty looks. And watching me carefully to make sure I don't get too close (the scars are still fading from our last encounter). But Ani seems to be doing well, coming out at night to eat and make use of the facilities, play with his little stuffed mice, and wind himself up in the blanket that Padme used to use (and smells like her). Doesn't really care for the t-shirt that smells like me. Hmm.

Padme is being really needy these days, though. Keeps rubbing up against my legs wherever I am, particularly when I'm in the kitchen. She likes the litter box in the bathroom, although she did leave a little puddle for me this morning on the linoleum. At least it wasn't near the rug, like last time. Interestingly enough when she spills litter outside the box she does try to clean it up. That was kind of weird when I watched her do it one day.

I know, enough litter box stories. Finished a book, still wading through Brisingr (third book in the Eragon series), got my Pampered Chef stuff so working on distributing it now. Plus got my LOST set--the entire series in a really cool box with lots of other stuff. So cool!! It gets to stay out for a while :)

Oh, and making baby blankets. I have four people on my list now that need baby blankets. Anyone else? I need to get to work on my curtains and my quilt for my bedroom as well. And some vests. Just because I'm sick and tired of all my clothes right now. Must be time for a seasonal change... fall, where are you??

Run away! Run away!!

Funniest thing this weekend: I allowed my cat Padme Kitty to come into the room where Anakin Buddy is currently residing. After sniffing around the whole room, checking out his food, his litter box, his cardboard box, and his toys, she finally looked behind the couch where Ani was hiding. She took one look, then took off for the upstairs. It was hilarious. Poor little Buddy, he's more used to the company of cats than the company of people, so I'm hoping Kitty will come around sooner rather than later. I think that will help his transition immensely. He's doing well, though. I visit him every night and putter around for a bit before leaving him on his own. I've tried to get him to play a little with me, but so far nothing doing.

Still no pictures--he hides in dark places... And he's a black cat.

Some craziness at home

While my travels have stopped for a while, things at home have been a little topsy-turvy.

First, I currently have a roommate. She's very sweet. Her name is Lisa, and she's engaged to a man in our ward. Since good little mormon girls don't live with thier fiance's before they get married, she needed a place to stay. Anyway, this caused me to clean out my second bedroom on the top of my townhouse. Man, did I have a lot of junk in there!! I took all the craft stuff into my room, purposely leaving the unfinished projects out where I'd have to look at them, and put all the books and stuff in the basement. Fortunately for me, Lisa said she wouldn't have any problem with me leaving my desk and all the junk on top of it in her room. Still don't have a bed in there, but she manages very nicely with an air mattress. They are in the process of buying a home, though, so once that happens she will be moving out while her fiance stays in his apartment.

Second, I have a new cat (that seems to be going around). He's a little black cat, about 3 years old, with white face, chest, and paws. More than that I can't really see since the poor guy is still hiding under my bed. I brought him home Sunday, driving through a thunderstorm to get to him, and he's been scared and sad ever since. But last night he was foraging around, investigating his new home. I'm encouraged by this, even if he did leave a little wanton kitty destruction behind. His name right now is Isaac, but I'm seriously considering calling him Anakin, or Ani for short. To go with my other cat, Padme. Although Anakin did end up strangling Padme in the end, so maybe that's not such a good idea.

Speaking of Padme Kitty, she knows something is going on. She got into my room last night and was sniffing around. Issac stayed under the bed, though, so they haven't met yet. A couple more days... I hope. Once Issac is comfortable enough to come out and say hello to me, I'll exchange them for a couple hours--Kitty can examine my room for the presence of the interloper--uh, I mean new friend--and my new buddy can examine the rest of the house. Not sure he knows what to do with stairs--he's been kept in a 8x10 room most of his life. Even my room is bigger than that. And full of things, besides.

Once Lisa moves out, I'm thinking I might move all my bookcases downstairs and make a sort of library out of the den. And maybe get a daybed for the upstairs room, for when company comes. Or maybe the air mattress I have will be enough, as long as there's space. For now, anyway.

Ahh, October!

I just have to say, that I love Fall. I love the cool crispness of the air, I love being able to leave my windows open all day and all night (with a good comforter and my kitty for warmth). I love when the trees turn briliant colors. Hasn't quite started yet here in MD, unless you count my poor tree in my front yard that's been losing leaves all summer. Poor thing. It gets so confused and doesn't know what season it is.

Last weekend was pretty tame. I was on a committee for the Relief Society dinner before the broadcast on Saturday, so I spent most of the day at the church setting up and helping out. Sunday was nice and laid back, complete with a visit from my HT and his wife (my other HT was in the hospital :( ) This week has been fairly calm too. I know a lot of that is due to my recovery from my cold--I just don't have the inclination to do a whole lot. I am much better now, though, and all ready for a night of singing. Choir rehearsal, you know.

This weekend I have the opportunity to listen to General Conference at home. I'll spend time before and between sessions in my yard, trying to make some sort of order there, but for at least four hours I'll sit on my couch and listen to the General Authorities in Salt Lake and try to get a feel for what I should work on for the next six months. I just love Conference Weekend.

Kitty and I had a cat-fight the other night, though. I sat on the couch and was drinking some juice when she latched on to my leg with both front claws and her mouth. I don't think she was trying to hurt me, she didn't draw any blood, but my juice spilled all over the place, including me, and I was unhappy. She knew it. She ran down to the basement to escape my wrath. I am really tired of her attacking me. She might find herself with a new home. Actually, what I will try first is to get a cat trainer over to my house to help us. And maybe play with her more.

I've gotten into NCIS now, too. My Fall TV-Watching schedule is greatly reduced from last year--mostly because half my shows were cancelled and part of the others don't start until January. I have two whole nights where I'm not recording anything. That is just amazing. Throw in the fact that I'm only recording one or two shows on about two other nights, and now you really get a sense of it. fortunately (unfortunately?) USA runs up to 6 hours of NCIS nearly every day. That's a lot. That's more than I can do, actually, but I usually only catch one or two episodes. Lori is going to laugh at me when I tell her. She told me to try it last year (or maybe the year before) but I didn't. She was right.

LDS equivalent of drinking...

Anyone know what that might be? I'm thinking pizza, lots and lots of pizza...

Work has been indescribably bad lately. We've been asked to cut yet another $70 million from our budget. Some idiot suggested we outsource Mission Operations. My job. Thanks. A lot. so I've been going to a lot of meetings where we try to figure out how to prove to those idiots that this would be a REALLY Bad Idea. Very RISKY. Somehow the guy at NASA HQ got wind of the idea, and now we have to justify why it's better for APL to do it than to have some university try to pull of our operations. If I weren't LDS, boy, I'd be seriously tempted to hit a bar on the way home. Really shouldn't break my diet, either, even though the diet isn't going really well. I haven't lost anything in a month. Haven't gained either, though, so it's not a total failure.

Three words: Cost Cutting SUCKS.
When can I get to my real job? If they hadn't just made me an APL employee, I'd seriously consider finding something else to do.

So for some good news, Kitty/Padme is officially mine. I spoke with the housesitter--really the girlfriend of the guy who lives there, who has been in Australia for the last 4-5 months and is considering moving there. She, on the other hand, has two jobs and her own place (hence the reason I never saw her). So when I offered to adopt Padme, they were grateful. She still likes to be outside more than inside, but I think she's happy I've stopped kicking her out of my house. She does like to attack my toes while I'm sleeping, though. That has got to stop...