Lower than low...

When I pulled into the office garage I saw a small tortie kitten run in front of me. I quickly parked and the kitten ran back across the lane and under another parked car.

Got over there and could hear her meow but when I got close she stopped and I couldn't find her under any of the cars in the area. Of course people were trickling by and probably wondering what I was doing...

Came up to my office and grabbed a file box incase I got lucky, but no joy. I couldn't find her when I went back down. Too many people were coming in and some morons old school car alarm was blaring. So if the kitten had been in the same area she would have taken off.

Hopefully someone else saw her and had better luck and she's on her way to a vet or a home of some sort.

I feel like crap because I couldn't grab her. Not that I could keep her, we have a full house as it is. But at least I could have taken her to my vet and paid for a few shots and whatnot and the vet could have placed her.

I left the box in the back of my car just incase I see her again...

Half asleep

I locked Smudge in the bedroom closet on accident. About 2 am she decided she didn't like it any more (5 hours was enough) and she slammed herself against the door repeatedly. Shocking way to wake up.

It's a big closet and she loves to hide under JP's shorts.

Very sleepy now. Broken sleep not good.

Yesterday was another lesson in how certain departments don't understand their function. Why does Marketing as me marketing questions? I'm ownership... why should I be the one to tell marketing what's going on... that's their responsibility. They don't tell me who owns in a well. URGH!

So yeah I have to explain to this guy what non-consent means... geez they have no clue how they fit in, they can't be bothered to answer your questions but you have to drop everything to answer theirs... sheesh.

And if I ever find out what Bushnell looks like... he's going down in the food court. Bagel smack to the head.

What are the odds...

That any of our house guests would ever find this posting... very small but I still don't like them.

For the most part the visit was fine. Two weeks is just plan long no matter who it is in your house and when they aren't blood relatives you can't really tell them where to step off when they turn insulting.

As much as you want to call someone on their sh*t you just can't do it. and the fact they're a 16 year old kid probably makes it worse.

Also having to bite your tongue over bad fashion parading around is another thing. Not that I'm a fashionista by any stretch. I'm all about dressing to flatter whatever your shape... and I was just flabbergasted by the amount of muffin top I had to deal with. Yikes.

I probably wouldn't have cared or noticed much if said muffin didn't spend a great deal of her time saying how fat Americans are... oh not so little pot welcome to the land of kettles.

Oh well. They're all heading home with their shopping securly packed away. JP and I will find new things to squabble about.

Our yearly BBQ was this weekend and it went smoother than any other we've had. Some thing I noticed, while people brought tons of beer they weren't drinking much of it. In fact we ran out of water and soda. We threw out two 40 gallon size trash bags filled with beers we couldn't store nor would we ever drink/finish.

JP's peeps are growing up...

You must be joking...

I totally forgot that today is the employee appreciation luncheon. BBQ in the Plaza.

Not going.

Made plans already to meet Olga at The Hobbit, PLUS I'm leaving early. Kinda sucks that people won't be working all afternoon but I'll still have to use vacation time. Or time without pay...

And the sudden cancelations that always come before a party have started. Thankfully, the numbers are starting to drop down. It'll still be big.

Nothing I can do about it now...

I'll try and actually take pictures too... but I know how that usually goes.

Soon...

I have to keep telling myself that my real vacation is coming. In less than a month I'll be heading out to Fiji for two weeks.

awesome.

Yes, the whole in-law clan will be there... but it'll be great. I plan on spending much time getting sun and lost in a book.

I'm also trying not to stress out. We have our annual free for all BBQ this weekend. Yikes! We're expect an obscene number of people. I've decided I'm making just a couple of dishes and then I'll let HEB make the rest. I'll just buy various salads and whatnot they have at their counter. It'll make my life easier.

That leaves me making two dips, a pasta salad, and a potato salad... and seasoning all the meat.

Ugh. Hella crazy... I could kill JP for doing this. He'll have a blast and I'll be working the whole time. How is that fair? I'll have to remind him to leave me alone and not to keep lumping more "duties" on me. My job is food and that's it.

More complaining about my job...

Yesterday, the summer intern for the Land Negotiator's brings me this huge stack of files. Me, being half out of it from an Excedrine Migraine tablet, takes the files. Foolishly I thought they were part of a file request that I had made. I had been told that several of those files were checked out.

THen the intern asks me to sign a piece of paper showing that I've "taken responsibility" for them. I'm puzzled but he's an intern, what does he really know.

Once he's gone I realize what the Negotiator has done. He wants me to return his files to the central file room for him.

Excuese me?! What!? When did I become your personal assistant.

To say I was livid would be an understatement.

I realize that most if not all of this company thinks very little of my department. But come on.

I told my supervisor and he shot of an email basically asking what did this guy think he was doing. Either he is totally clueless or he really is a pig... the jury is out on that still. I am NOT here to fetch and carry for that department. That's why they have a summer intern for Pete's sake!

URGH! At one point I was so angry I was shaking... it was just so insulting.

"Here, take care of this for me because I can't be bothered..."

Just don't even go there...

I am so tired and stressed out I don't know where to start.

So much to do and struggling to get through each hour.

Weekend was fun and yet stressful. Too much shoved into such a short time. Just tired and fed up.

Looks like we're gonna get rain off and on today. I don't think the streets will flood, which is always the biggest concern with a tropical storm.

I believe that I'll have the house to myself this afternoon if the storm has passed. Don't know if I should get my hopes up. I had it to myself yesterday but didn't know it until later that no one was coming back until late.

Gosh I am so tired... shrivel up and blow away tired.

Onward to SA

The girls are outback in the pool and the guys are probably still at the Richmond Arms.

We leave tomorrow at 10 am for our weekend trip to SA. It's going to be a busy busy weekend but hopefully everyone has a good time.

I should probably go and pack. JP will need help in the morning and also insist on a haircut.


Ah well.

"I'm all alone... all by myself..."

Had the whole house to myself most of last night. The guests and JP didn't get back until after 8.

So, I got to do my workout and feel much better after that. Today I'm picking the girls up around 7:30 so I should be able to work out again today. I just can't sit around first. Straight into workout so I have time to shower and let my hair air dry.

Speaking of dry... that ProActive seems to be too much for my skin so yet again I'm casting around for something that will help with the breakouts without killing my skin. This morning I had to slather my shea butter face cream that I only use if I have a cold in winter for when my nose gets dried and cracked.

I'll ask my sister if she wants the ProActive. She was using it before.

Work was interesting yesterday... there is an accountant here. Let's refer to her as L. She sent an email last week to three of us for some 20+ newly acquired properties claiming we were only recieving payment on 50% of the production and that another company was getting the other 50%.

Sadly after burning much time with her one of the landmen figured out that the accountant couldn't read the statment. The production was listed out as a two line entry, 50% each. 50% plus 50% equals....

I didn't jump on researching mine because I was in the middle of two more important projects and two because I've dealt with that accountant before and there is a reason I call her Chicken Little.

Today at lunch I'm going to visit Ross. Some how a shirt and a pair of capris came out of the wash with strange stains. I've tried bleaching them out with no luck... maybe I'll get lucky and find a pair of capris at least.

5th Wheel

Everyone seemed to enjoy their first day. Came home and everyone was red.

I'm also glad the screen door is installed. They insist on leaving the back door open. I don't get this because we're in Katy... not known for cooling breezes but hot humid weather instead.

But at least I'll no longer have to worry about the cats getting out or listen to guests complaining about the mosquitos they let in.

We went out to dinner last night. Took them for Tex-Mex. Girls were very picky and didn't seem to enjoy the meal at all... so I'm not sure how San Antonio is going to go.

After dinner we went to walk around La Centerra and grab a coffee/tea. The girls are VERY into their shopping. I pointed out Mint to them which doesn't sell designer but has lots of fun pieces you can mix and match. Did not want to hear of it. If it's not Abercrombie & Fitch... yeah one, so glad I'm not a teen anymore. And two, I'm glad I wasn't a "fashion" obessed teen. By then I had my unhealthy obsession with film and concerts that I could get into at Fitzgerald. Probably part of why I didn't blend well in school.

Of course I was in high school when Grunge was the fashion. So either you wore fannel (yes in the Houston heat) or you were a Prep (which I couldn't afford). There were other groups I remember, the FFA kids or Country... and a few other groups but I don't really remember how they were defined.

As a band geek and art freak there was no way I could escape nerd-dom. Throw on top of that going to museums and going to the art house movie theater I was not "with it" in any way.

Now I'm just too old to care much. I like to dress nice but be comfortable. I'm fully aware that the girls JP knows don't like or understand what I wear as they are clearly shocked when they like something I have. Oh and if they only KNEW how much I get from TJ Maxx and Marshall's... oh well.

Again, just glad I'm not a teenage girl.


Not sure how the weekend is going to work. I think we're going to try and be flexible depending on the weather... but yeah the amuesment parks I see myself as odd man out. JP will want to hang with his friend and the girls want to do their own thing.

All accounted for...

Our guests have arrived and Smudge is smitten with Ashley & Amy... especially Amy.

Luckily Amy has cats and is used to Smudgies oddball behavior. Keiko stayed hidden but I think she might surface by the end of the week. Her love of her downstairs chair is too strong.

I'm relieved thought that Amy likes cats. Neil is fine with Smudge & Keiko as he's stayed with us before. Ashley, just doesn't like them much and is more of a dog person. But she's not a mean girl so I know she'll just leave them be.

They were all tired yesterday and I believe are going to stick to the Katy area today. Probably sleep in and use the pool this morning and I think I heard them mention Katy Mills.

JP bought a Wii over the weekend and I set it up for the girls yesterday. We don't have any games except for Wii sports, Wii play, and a Tiger Woods golf game. Yeah, can you tell JP picked out that one.

Very tired this morning. Not used to the new schedule... it'll probably take a couple of weeks. But this is a short week and so is next week... hey wait the next three are 4 day weeks between Fridays off and taking off on the 21st... not too shabby.

Off to refresh my tea and find some pain-aide... there must be a storm front coming through... my head is twinging.

Of car maint., laundry, and Hellboy...

Busy weekend...

Saturday I dropped my car off for maint. I was late for 15K and early for 20K so they just did the 20k which picked up the 15K... d'oh.

Really nice guy who took care of my appointment and gave me a much easier book to follow so I'll know exactly what's done on each service. Honda of Katy is much more user friendly than the other dealership I was going to. So glad it opened up.

Since it was a long one I left the car and came home so I could get the house ready. Had to wash sheets and tidy up things we normally leave out... like stacks of DVDs and CDs.

Saturday night we went to a great restaurant out in Richmond called Karl's on the Riverbend. It's right next to a horse farm and as a glassed in porch where you can see all the horses in the field.

Excellent food, not trying to be trendy or overly fancy. I'd like to take my parents some time.

Sunday was very busy. I got up early before church to try and do the last of the laundry as we had to be at Tony's by 2:30... yes last minute BBQ.

Fun as always except... there is something that I've noticed for some time and it really ticks me off.

Why do people think it's okay to bluntly say, "I HATE cats!" when it's brought up that you have cats? I've never heard someone say, "I HATE dogs!" when someone else mentions their pooch. Seriously, why is it okay to be so ugly and hateful about felines? And especially to the face of a person who HAS THEM! It's just rude and I'm getting totally fed up with it.

Feel sorry for the next person who says that to me... I am going to be blunt about their own rude and ugly behavior.

We left the party about 7:15 so we could catch a showing of Hellboy II. Very fun movie. Good summer popcorn flick (unlike Wanted that steaming pile...).

Today kicks off the return to the 9/80 schedule. I got here at 6:15... so I'll leave at 4:15. They didn't say that I couldn't work those times, it only said 6:30 to 4 and if you wanted an hour lunch you had to add 30 minutes... didn't say you couldn't split it.

I'm trying not to let work stress me out. That stupid payout crapfest continues. And the weasel that helped start it all hasn't done anything... dillweed probably doesn't understand that he's the one who has to fix the booking problem... *growl*

End of the work week...

End of the work week...

At 7:15 Bruce was already calling. I had a mouthful of breakfast (Cascade Fresh yogurt & wheatabix) so I didn't answer.

Yes, I know you need two more spreadysheet! You requested them on Thursday! Give me a flippin' break!

JP, being the buying freak that he is bought a Wii last night. I don't know why since he doesn't play video games. At least when I got him the PS3 I knew I'd play games and we'd use the blu-ray disc player... ugh.

Really ticks me off when he does this. Yet another gadget that he'll use for one week and never touch again.

Busy weekend coming up... Tony isn't having his BBQ so we're going out with Campbell & Anne instead. We've been trying to go to Carl's on the Riverbend but it's never worked out. Maybe it will tomorrow.

Sunday we're going to see Hellboy II at the Alamodrafthouse in Katy. Whoo-hoo!

Then we've got a full house for a couple of weeks... what will Smudge & Keiko do?!

Dress revisited

On a funny note... I found my dress from Fiona's wedding in the teen catalog Alloy. it was about $20 less than I paid for it too. HA!

Craptastic I tell ya

Work was 100% stupid...

Back in April I was informed by two departments that a Unit had reached it's second phase... I set up the new phase and notify the accountant (who had been riding me...) that it was done.

Jump to this morning where I get a scathing email for some guy in KS I've never heard of telling me I've made a HUGE mistake blah blah blah... the Unit most certainly has NOT changed phase.

The stupid accountant probably doesn't think he needs to do anything, but nope I'm sending a nasty and curt email in the morining giving him until the 18th to reverse and rebook 'cause I'm killing the cost center on the 18th. it can be reactivated when/if the stupid thing reaches the next phase.

*growl*

Vacation, where are you?

Every day should be vacation. And every vacation should have a day you hold a koala.

This is an old picture from our trip to Australia after we got engaged. We used it at our wedding, but I think that was the shot of me holding the little guy.

Next weekend is a mini-break with a road trip to San Antonio. At least I won't be in the office... even if there is no chance of holding a koala.

End of August we're heading to Fiji for two weeks. JP's sister wanted to go for her 40th and it's not such a long trip for them. We're meeting up with another couple and JP's mom.

Should be interesting with so many people, but if you agree to break up and meet up through out the two weeks I don't see what the big deal is. They do have a day trip of going down a river which I HAVE to go on. This is a once in a life time trip and I'm not leaving with regrets of things not done.

I'm worried that because I'm trying to get so much done that I'm making really stupid mistakes. This will blow up in my face sooner or later as it always catches up to you. *sigh*

Yesterday we went to Yum Yum Cha in the Village for lunch. EXCELLENT! I don't know the last time I had dim sum. The food was so fresh and just delish. My mouth waters if I think about it for too long. Oh yes, I will be heading back. Pain to deal with Village parking but so worth it. so so worth it.

Friday night I have tickets to this summer's Chill Series play. It'll be my last night out with my friends until August. Too many visitors... but that's okay it'll be fun. Not looking forward to having to get up super early the next morning to take the car in, but what can you do.

Just wait for vacation...

Anything you can do?!?!

Isn't it nice when a co-worker who generates tons of work for you suddenly wants to know what they can do to help... uh... how about you answer these questions and deal with all the research it generates.

*growl*

I will not get stressed out today...

I will just do what I can and what I can't get to will wait another day.

My cousin baby boy arrived yesterday. Got the picture already this morning. Cute little guy. So many new babies in the last couple of weeks.

These are the last few days until visitors arrive. So, I'm going to sushi happy hour with my friend. I'll be unable to go again for some time. I think we're going to see Wanted as well.

Better get back to my set ups and research research research... ugh

*twitch twitch*

For some time now my left eye has been twitching every so slighly... usually while I'm at work.

Today my right has started to twitch and it's not slight at all...


not.good.

So very very tired....

Brain is fuzzy... very tired... that tired that only comes from that time of the month...

I might have to nap on my lunch hour...

Bunches to get through today of course. The usual crap with these "Alternative Tract Units." GRRRR.... and some one has decided that we have a larger interest on the lastest one. Love that. We no longer have "Operations" Landmen... they are Negotiators and they don't have any idea how to work with title... or they're choosing not to.

My title should be changed to Fetch Monkey.

Don't want to have to call but I will. He called twice yesterday about yet another thing that I have to research. Some guy doesn't know how he got his interest or something. Big surprise.

I had thought about going to Stone Mill for bread... bread or sleep... what will be my choice.

What can you do...

It's back to work after a longish holiday weekend. I was up in Wisconsin visiting my sister's family. And my husband managed to get there too. For once, flight scheduling worked in our favor.

So far it has been a miserable day in the office. Everyone is grouchy (including me) and there isn't a long vacation coming up in the next few weeks either.

JP decided officially that we'd have our yearly BBQ over the weekend. Remembering how horrible he is about telling me anything that's important when these sorts of events are coming I followed with my own email asking everyone to ignore him and respond to me if they were coming. Especially if they actually want to be fed.

We're keeping it super simple. Burgers (a few veggie ones) and hot dogs. That's it for meat. Nothing else. I'll make a few dips and a couple of salads plus fixing and we're done.

Of course no matter how simple I try to make it, I'll end up running all over the place and not enjoy much if any of the evening.